Postseason Baseball 2026: Low Batting Averages Concern

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Challenges and Trends in Baseball's Postseason Performance

Joe Rinieri and Craig Mish discussed the current state of baseball, particularly focusing on the postseason performance trends and implications for the future of the sport. During their conversation, they highlighted a significant issue in baseball today: extremely effective pitching. This has led to some of the lowest batting averages and on-base percentages seen in the postseason for many years. For instance, a .209 batting average has become a norm for teams during this postseason.

The duo delved into the reasons behind these trends, noting that modern pitchers rarely need to pitch beyond four to five innings, with relief pitchers consistently throwing at speeds around 100 miles per hour. This has made it exceedingly difficult for batters to hit the ball effectively. Such a strong emphasis on pitching speed and ability has trickled down from major leagues to youth sports, significantly shaping how young players are trained and evaluated.

Additionally, the conversation touched on the concept of the "two true outcomes" in baseball—either a strikeout or a home run—with little variability or strategy in between. This has led to changes in how the game is played strategically, such as diminished importance on stealing bases and holding runners on, as well as an over-reliance on analytics that focus solely on launch angles and velocity.

Rinieri and Mish also considered possible future adjustments to the sport, though specific changes remain uncertain. They concluded that without significant alterations to how baseball is played and analyzed, the excitement and nuance of the game might continue to diminish, emphasizing the need for foundational changes to revive baseball’s dynamic nature.