JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 8/17/20

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sam

3:03

If the Marlins or Cardinals manage to only play about 45-50 games are they still qualified to make the playoffs, winning % notwithstanding? What's the cutoff there?

Ben Clemens

3:03

I think the cutoff is probably around 50 games for me

But I think winning percentage is a fine way to determine it

3:04

Just, below 50 games it's going to feel reallllly weird

It looks incredibly unlikely that anyone will finish that low, so I don't see it being an issue

Kretin

3:04

Do the Angels need a change in the Front Office?

Ben Clemens

3:04

Maybe. They seem to need an ownership change, but taht's obviously tough

3:05

But when Arte Moreno is firing scouts left and right to save money and reportedly on the front lines of every single time where owners try to cut costs in any way possible

It's pretty easy to believe that their front office is under-staffed and under-funded

Soooooo

nick

3:05

If you are the Indians you have to be concerned that the moment you promote them they would just opt out which would allow them to get their service time.

Ben Clemens

3:05

I don't think that's how it works, right?

If you're not a high-risk individual you can't get service time if you opt out

Unless I misunderstood how that works

Clark

3:05

Pick one as more likely to make the playoffs: Tigers or Red Sox?

Ben Clemens

3:05

Tigers

THey're adding talent and the Red Sox will likely look to dela

That rotation, woof

3:06

And I'm the idiot who picked the Sox to make the playoffs

nick

3:06

Why is MLB not scheduling double headers now so that each team has a few games in hand in the event of later being shut down.

Ben Clemens

3:06

I don't hate this idea -- backload days off into September. Teams would probably be into it too because they get rest days if not

The Cardinals asked for more DH's and more rest days, for example

Appa Yip Yip

3:06

As a baseball fan who dives deep into numbers and is constantly looking stuff up during games I'm very excited to watch the basketball playoffs where I understand nothing (wat is pick am roll? Don't care!) And just watch tall men do absurd things.

Ben Clemens

3:06

Oh I'm 100% the same way

I have very strong and irrational opinions about basketball

3:07

I hate the Rockets, I love the Nuggets

Just from watching a few of their games

It's so fun to watch something and not have to analyze

Logan

3:07

I made a bet with a friend that the Red Sox would make the playoffs at least once in the next three years. This year is looking bad for me. Should I be worried about the next two as well?

Ben Clemens

3:07

I continue to believe they'll make the playoffs whenever they decide they're going to field a full rotation

They clearly weren't trying this year

3:08

I think I like your side but losing 1/3 of your outs is obviously not ideal

Clark

3:08

Re: Tigers vs. Red Sox: Are Mize and Skubal better rotation options than anyone in the Red Sox rotation right?

Benny

3:08

More impactful – Mize or Skubal?

Ben Clemens

3:08

I think so?

I favor Mize over Skubal but it's close

Prof

3:08

What did you study in college, and was it helpful given what ended up being your career path? Was there anything in particular you wish you had spent more / less time on?

Ben Clemens

3:08

Oh this is a fun question

So I was initially an Econ/Religion double major

Then I dropped religion and picked up at various times math and psychology

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