(10-07-2019 12:14 PM)stever20 Wrote:  It is crazy that 100 win teams are only .500 in the LDS. And it's because teams can do exactly what the Nats are doing.

But do the numbers support that? I mean, I get that it CAN happen but how many times have 100 win teams lost because opposing starters came in as relievers in 5 game series? How many times have starters actually helped vs give up runs? And how many times did the relief appearance eliminate the pitcher for a future (otherwise planned) start?

My impression is that LDS have less predictable outcomes because they are short series and all kinds of unpredictable things can happen when you reduce the number of repetitions. I think to have the Nats' staff of essentially 3 co-aces is pretty unique (90s Braves of course) and so there are probably very few teams who even have a chance of pulling this off.