Batters are trying too hard to hit homers. Pitchers are probably better. Almost everyone throws 90+ mph nowadays. Plus they’re pampered a bit. Almost as well as Kobe cows. Starters never throw more than 100 pitches/game anymore.
Way too many pitching changes too. So you are bringing in a lot of fresh pitchers throwing 90+.
pitchers aren’t expected to pitch games anymore, because statistics show that the 3rd time through a lineup, batting averages shoot up. Better to swap out after 5 innings.
Batters aren’t just “trying”, they are hitting more home runs than ever. As would be expected — the statistics again have shown that striking out more, but getting home runs more, is a winning strategy.
Note that a strikeout will virtually never be a double-play. And if your batting average on a “3rd strike safe hit” is 100 points below your general average, you are hardly helping by trying to get on base.
:: Starters never throw more than 100 pitches/game anymore. ::
Which is comforting to me. That means that Dennis McClain’s record will NEVER be broken.
They should show film of Rod Carew.