Stumpf's Talking Point: Ditch the seven-inning doubleheaders

Last season, fearing that there would be more doubleheaders than usual because of COVID-19 postponements and what the innings could do to pitcher’s arms, Major League Baseball decided to do the unthinkable.

They shortened the games.

Yes, those twin bills would be just seven innings apiece now, shaving four innings off on the day. It gave teams the option to either hope a starter could go a whole game, or, if necessary, rely on a bullpen more for a day without totally gasing them.

Derek Shelton, to his surprise, became a fan of the change.

“Of all the rule changes that we have, this is probably my favorite,” Shelton said in a Zoom call before game one Wednesday. “I really think this outlines best for everybody: for pitchers, for position players, for just overall wear and tear. I’m a big fan of the seven-inning double header.”

Ok, maybe they were a necessary evil last year and possibly this one to make sure pitchers arms aren’t overtaxed. But let’s not make it the norm going forward. It’s too close to collegiate baseball at that point. 

Adding another player, almost always a pitcher, gives some insurance that bullpens don’t have to be burned to get through the day. If that second player needs to be available for game one -- or maybe even optioned between games -- do that. 

Playing a seven inning game is completely different. The Pirates were able to go straight from Tyler Anderson to Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez in game one Wednesday afternoon. Anderson went only five innings. In a normal game, the Pirates would have to choose between going to middle relief or sending a tiring starter out again. So many games are decided in those sixth or seventh innings. Now, they’re just shaved off.

With any change baseball makes, there’s always the risk of being the old man who yells at a cloud. Maybe I am doing that here, but games are supposed to be nine innings. That’s that.

YOUR TURN: What do you think about seven inning doubleheaders? Are they necessary during COVID-19 times, and should they stick around going forward?