Cleveland pitcher Mike Clevinger blasts MLB’s new extra-innings rule

Mike Clevinger wasn’t happy after Cleveland lost in extras to the Royals

Despite giving up two early runs, Cleveland pitcher Mike Clevinger was able to recover for a respectable outing, which was matched by Royals hurler Brady Singer who was making his MLB debut.

Nonetheless, extra innings offered a unique challenge for Cleveland. As per MLB rules, a runner begins each inning on second base. KC manager Mike Matheny opted to move said baserunner over to third base, where he was driven home by a sac fly. While Cleveland got a chance to answer in the bottom of the frame, the risk of beginning extras behind the eight-ball is a real one, and something players around baseball must get used to in this shortened season.

Cleveland starting pitcher Mike Clevinger is a sore loser

Playing baseball during a pandemic is enough of a risk, the last thing MLB needs is games going 15 innings or more. While the game’s purists, such as Clevinger, scoff at such a notion, it’s understandable why Rob Manfred and the owners would opt to move the game along a little quicker in 2020.

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Clevinger’s point is a valid one, but Saturday’s result is an anomaly. A 60-game season is bound to draw some results that don’t make a whole lot of sense. And, arguably, teams that don’t deserve to be in postseason contention will have their opportunity.

Such a system benefits all, even Clevinger’s Cleveland ball-club.