MLB's Realignment Reignites the Best Rivalry of Yesteryear

[renabanena]

Max Kepler had a breakout season in 2019 with 36 home runs, a 16.6 strikeout percentage, and the highest WAR of any Twin. One of the most famous narratives that surrounded Kepler was his dominance over former division rival, Trevor Bauer. Kepler’s ownership over Bauer began on June 3rd, when he homered in three straight at-bats against Bauer. He continued his streak on July 13th, when he also homered off Bauer two more times. This helped Kepler earn a spot in the record books next to Carlos Delgado and Frank Howard as the only three players to homer in five straight at-bats since 1961.On April 1st, Bauer released a 34-minute Youtube video breaking down every single one of Kepler’s five home runs in detail.

 

 

Bauer’s breakdown was widely requested among Twins fans and broke down every mechanic of every pitch thrown in these five at-bats in addition to every at-bat Kepler had against Bauer in 2019. Bauer candidly discusses the at-bats leading up to the infamous home run streak, physical adjustments that Kepler had made during the offseason, and how Bauer was able to finally end their duel.

 

Twins fans were left heartbroken when Bauer moved across Ohio to the Cincinnati Reds after the trade deadline. The Twins were not scheduled to play the Reds in 2020, which left a desire from fans for closure between the two. While it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Bauer signs a deal with the Twins after Odorizzi’s departure, fans were not expecting a reunion to come so soon.

 

Yesterday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today announced that Major League Baseball Officials are cautiously optimistic that baseball will start in late June and no later than July 2nd. While fans feared that the season would be cut in half or canceled altogether, executives state that teams will play at least 100 games. However, MLB would eliminate the traditional American and National Leagues and combine each division based on their geographical location.

 

The Central division would consist of the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs and White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and of course, the Cincinnati Reds.

 

While most fans on social media are ecstatic about the possibility of the Dodgers and Astros playing in the Western division together, Twins fans have the frequent reunions between Kepler and Bauer to look forward to. While it's not known what the schedules and match ups look like right now, all signs are pointing to future at-bats and more home runs on the horizon.

 

Maybe in 2021, Bauer will personally bring on Kepler in his next video to discuss the next record broken by Kepler. Until then, enjoy Bauer’s breakdown and these recaps of Kepler’s five home runs.

 

 

 

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[Doctor Gast]

Although, it`d be wonderful to see Kepler crush Bauer! This re-structural BS is ridiculous. It`s like not having baseball at all, that all the games played have more of an appearance  of exhibition games that don`t count than actual games. MLB teams have chartered flights what`s the difference of flying to LAA than Atlanta? Keep the leagues the way it is!!!!!!!!!

[adorduan]

I wasn't heartbroken he went to the Reds.  Just because Kepler had his number for a bit doesn't mean he isn't a very good pitcher and Kepler would continue continue to hit bombs off of him...

[diehardtwinsfan]

If it's one time thing, I woudln't be too concerned about the structural alignment. That has more to do with controlling costs and travel time so as to maximize games played... guessing you're going to see a lot of double headers.

[Squirrel]

Where were these possible divisions announced?

 

But I’m good with any article that replays the Kepler home runs off Bauer. Good times.

[Doctor Gast]

It seems this re-structural stuff will create more problems than solve like the DH. I don`t want to see an asterix  saying due to covid19 these championships & post season games don`t count

[mnfireman]

Not a fan of re-alignment unless its to even out the Leagues (whether its 2 expansion teams or back to a 16 and 14 format). Anyways, here's my thoughts:

 

15 games against each division opponent = 60 games

2 games against each interleague opponent = 10 games

4 games against each AL East & AL West opponent = 40 games

Total = 110 games

 

Eliminate as many "unnecessary" off-days in the Post-Season (both wild card games on same day, all teams play each game day, all teams travel same travel day, etc...)

[dex8425]

 

It seems this re-structural stuff will create more problems than solve like the DH. I don`t want to see an asterix  saying due to covid19 these championships & post season games don`t count

I don't think we'll need an asterisk. I think people for years will know why the 2020 season was weird, like they remember why 1943-1945 were weird MLB years.

[Puckett34]

If the restructuring is what gets us baseball within 8-10 weeks, I'm for it. I'd prefer this idea over the spring training facilities in Arizona and Florida. Plus I'd think this is a way for MLB to get the DH in both leagues moving forward.

 

Baseball in any capacity > no baseball

[BD57]

They'll probably have shorter flights which means "less cost."  Given it seems inevitable they'll at least start without any fans in the stands, unless TV pays a "bonus" just for having baseball to broadcast (how likely is that?), "no fans" means no one will be making money & some could be losing . . . .

 

IMO, they're trying to minimize expense & think this will do it.

 

If there are "10 teams per," then ... 100 games?  It doesn't compute - it won't be balanced unless they play "outside their conference" (thought I heard they weren't going to . . . . so I'm probably wrong on that).  

 

An even number makes sense - 50 home / 50 road.  

 

12 games, all "in conference" would make sense - but that's 108.

 

If you play 10 against each team "in conference," then you've played 90 & have 10 left over to play "someone else" - schedule balance becomes a problem with 30 teams, though (each "conference" would have to split in half to allow everyone to get 10 games "out of conference"; someone would draw the easier schedule).  

 

Go to 8 & now you have 28 games "out of conference" .... it's getting unwieldy.

 

How you work playoffs with three "conferences" and no/limited cross-over is going to be a challenge too.

 

 

[Shaitan]

Atlanta in the Central?

[Minny505]

I love it! Baseball could use a harmless shake-up off the field that spurs some other changes. 

Having three 10-team divisions is so fun!!! That is something no other pro sports league I have ever heard consider. Way outside the box, especially for MLB. 

I'm in favor of this being a trial run for new alignment in 2021 and beyond as well.

[DocBauer]

Anything that allows for baseball in 2020 is fine by me. But divisional re-alingment like this is ridiculous! I get a shorter season. I get holding down travel costs due to revenue shortfalls.

 

But for the most part, divisional opponents are already in relatively close proximity. Just skip some of the crazy 6 game series on a coast. You can even keep cross league games...or go old school and not do it for a year...by having slightly longer on the road trips. Twins can go play Oakland, Angels, hit Dodgers and Giants for even a 2 game series, finish with the Mariners, and then return home.

 

You might have some longer road trips, but you would probably have some longer home stands as well. Not appreciably longer, but a little longer.

 

Braves in the same division with the Twins is nuts. Similarly, they make a Midwestern run, they can slide over to KC, Minnesota, play the Dirty Sox right after they play the Cubs, etc.

 

Come on MLB! Use your brain or find someone who has a better one!

[Nine of twelve]

I don't think this proposal will ever come to fruition because if (and it's a huge if) there is MLB at all this season it will be a curtailed schedule and I think it's at least 99% certain that there will be no spectators. If there are no spectators there's no reason for teams to play in their regular stadiums. Also, minimizing travel and being in warm weather locations if they play into December or so will be priorities. So to me the only proposal with even a remote chance of actually happening is having teams play at their spring training sites. If they did this one team in each state would always be off unless a FL team moved to AZ or vice versa. When one takes into account the very complicated logistics that will be involved for playing even a curtailed schedule I doubt that even this option will be deemed to be worthwhile. And by the way it will also be necessary to figure out how to operate without any minor league teams because it's even more unlikely that they will be playing.

A few weeks ago I heard a commentator say words to this effect: In the situation we currently find ourselves no one person is the boss. Commissioner Manfred is not the boss. The President is not the boss. The WHO is not the boss. At this point the virus is the boss. Unless and until a way is found to stop the virus it will dictate what we do.

[SkyBlueWaters]

I believe MLB is planning what to do if a city has a covid 19 virus outbreak. The players want to be close to their families. Perhaps the driving factor is what to do if all of a team's home games have to be played on the road, due to an outbreak.

 

The plan minimizes travel, particularly for the 10 west teams.

 

Look at Atlanta on a map. Barely closer to Cincy. St. Louis not too much farther away.

 

The two Florida teams would stay with the east. P'burgh is closer, on average, to the eastern teams. For example, in the northeastern 8 teams, look at the longest trip, Pitt to Boston. Now compare Pitt to KC, St. Louis, Twin Cities.

 

I'm not advocating, just trying to see the rationale. Imagine the season begins, and crisis erupts again. Now they are back on the fence, trying to sort out: Do we keep going, or cancel? 

 

Perhaps the flexibility to play games nearby, with TV crews at the ready, in empty ballparks, is a consideration?

 

My personal take:  I'd watch it. Apologies to John de Vries' Desperate Housegraphs, but I'm unlikely to become a fan. Women dousing each other with champagne? I'd rather see Kepler & Sano.