MLB
Is there a three-batter minimum for pitchers in the MLB World Series?
After introducing several rule changes in the Major League three years ago, let’s take a look at one of the more interesting ones relating to pitching.
At the start of the 2021 MLB season, several rule changes were implemented, which, despite going unnoticed by some, were significant for the game tactics and player personnel strategy.
The MLB’s Three-batter minimum
In light of a shortened season due to the pandemic in 2020, MLB was forced to address different questions and subsequently rules to answer them. Amongst those rule changes -announced back in February 2020 - aimed at correcting the much-maligned pace of place issues - i.e. the time is taken between changes - of the MLB, one specific rule was announced and that was the ‘three-batter minimum.’
According to MLB the rule states that “pitchers must face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses. If a pitcher faces one batter to end an inning, he may be removed, but if he is brought back for a second inning, he must still face two more batters for a total of three.”
The Three-batter minimum rule applies for all postseason games, including the World Series.
What does the Three-batter minimum mean for the game?
In practice, there are two positions one can take on the rule. The first is that it removes the manager’s ability to go to the bullpen at any point to select the matchup that he wants. The second is that it forces managers to be more selective of what relief pitcher to use and, more importantly, when.
Interestingly this actually allows the possibility for advanced strategy regarding matchups as now the opposing manager has the opportunity to see what and who are going to be facing them from the mound.
The idea was to quicken the pace of play and reduce the length of games and the number of interruptions by limiting the number of in-game pitching changes.
Generally, most pitching changes come with one or more outs in an inning. In light of this, it is hard to say whether gameplay has been significantly altered. Additionally, pitching changes aren’t normally a cause for long delays during the regular season.
Since the introduction of the Three-batter minimum rule, more relievers have featured per game than in any three-season spell in MLB history. But as always, the jury is out as to how effective it is with some in favor, and others calling for it to be ditched.