MLB players seek pitch clock changes for postseason

Ahead of this season, MLB made several rule changes designed to speed up the pace of play and make the game more exciting. That included things like banning the shift and making bases larger. However, the biggest change was likely the pitch clock.

Now, both batters and pitchers in MLB games need to be ready to hit and have thrown the ball for a set amount of time goes by, otherwise a ball or strike might be assessed. Some players have seemingly adjusted better than others and while fans like this change, players have mixed emotions.

In the shadow MLB All-Star Game, players are now making a push to change the pitch clock rule for the postseason. According to a report, players want adjustments to the pitch clock to give both players and fans a chance to “take a few extra seconds here and there and a deep breath.”

That is, obviously, a vague description of what players would like to see changed. However, agent Scott Boras has said that there shouldn’t be any pitch clock at all in the postseason, arguing the situation is different than the regular season. Meanwhile, MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark has noted that MLB is more willing to listen to some of their requests than others.

MLB has argued that safeguards are built into the game and while commissioner Rob Manfred didn’t rule out any changes to the pitch clock come October, it does seem unlikely that those will come this season.

“Obviously, we don’t want a postseason game decided based on a violation. I understand it’s a possibility. In terms of doing something in the postseason, making an alteration, we’re going to continue to talk to the players. I got a significant number of player meetings still to do. I’m sure I’m going to have some conversations with Tony Clark about this issue,” Manfred said.

“I would make two points. I do, in general — and there’s exceptions to this, including the extra inning rule — in general, I think you ought to play the postseason the way that you play the regular season. There’s exceptions, OK? I’m open-minded on that topic. And secondly, we are comfortable with the way the clock and the violations, particularly late in the game and high-leverage situations that we’re watching, have been managed.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins MLB Home Run Derby

It’s been a slow season at the plate by Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s standards, having only hit 13 home runs. He still has power in his bat, though, and competed in and won the Home Run Derby on Monday night. To do so, he had to outlast Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The entire night was an exciting one for fans. It included Julio Rodriguez, of the hometown Seattle Mariners, hitting a record 41 home runs in a single round. Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman showed off in the bonus round, switch hitting and hitting out seven of his next eight pitches. Former winner Pete Alonso was even booed while competing.

ESPN finished the event with an interview with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In that interview, the network flashed a graphic describing him as a Cuban-born player. That’s despite the fact he was born in Montreal to a Dominican family. His father, a Hall of Fame player, previously won the Home Run Derby, making the pair the first father-son duo to win the event.