Posted by MikeT23 on 9/9/2013 6:22:00 PM (view original):
Posted by topoftheworl on 9/9/2013 4:41:00 PM (view original):
Similiar to bripat, depth wins games in the regular season. Superstuds win in the playoffs. Top flight hitters are they only people who can hit top flight pitching consistantly. That 70 56 60 60 guy that can do some damage against 73 overall starters never sees those starters in the playoffs. They put together decent regualar season number since they really aren't that much less effective against second tier pitching than the superstuds nut then hit .156 in the playoffs. To hit the top tier pitching you need some guy's with some 90's.
Yeah, this is kind of bullshit.
The difference is the pitching and luck. I carry 7-8 pitchers in the playoffs because that's all I need. But, if one of my top guys gets blown up, I'm already behind the 8 ball. Claiming the only way to win in the playoffs is with superstuds is why people win 49 games 5 seasons in a row. So they can acquire those superstuds. And they're still not guaranteed a WS title.
I think you're both a little right, and both a little wrong.
I don't think you need a lineup of stud hitters in order to win in the post season. A balanced lineup can win. Especially with a solid defense behind it.
But, just like in MLB, the teams that can have a top-3 heavy pitching rotation is going to have an advantage over a team with a more balanced distribution of talent across their 4 or 5 SP's.
Because most teams will go with a 3 man rotation in the post-season, if your rotation is built with a 1A-1B-2-4-5 (or better) rather than a "standard" 1-2-3-4-5, your top 3 are going to shut down the opposition and should carry you deep.
And then, there's always that pesky "luck" thing, as Mike points out.