World Series Bullpen Games and Diminishing Audiences: A Problematic Trend

TL;DR
The fourth game of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks featured a bullpen game, with 13 pitchers used overall. The Rangers won 11-7, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. The use of overmatched relief pitchers and the absence of traditional starting pitchers in the World Series has drawn criticism, as it detracts from the excitement and drama of the game. Both teams will rely on experienced starting pitchers in Game 5.
- Start over: On the World Series stage, a bullpen game just feels wrong The Athletic
- Column: World Series' disturbing trend of diminishing audiences Chicago Tribune
- World Series Games 2 and 3 were least-viewed in Fall Classic history - ESPN ESPN
- Rob Manfred called bullpen games a problem. Then Arizona had one in the World Series Yahoo Sports
- Fans criticize John Smoltz’s Game 4 analysis, yet he had tough task Awful Announcing
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