"The new pricing system allows the club to dramatically alter pricing within the same series. For example, a match-up against the Giants may produce dramatically different pricing for a match-up of second starting pitchers than, say, a pairing of Cy Young Award contenders Adam Wainwright and Tim Lincecum."

On the other hand, the Cardinals will probably have to pay people to watch Lohse pitch.

artie_fufkin wrote:

"The new pricing system allows the club to dramatically alter pricing within the same series. For example, a match-up against the Giants may produce dramatically different pricing for a match-up of second starting pitchers than, say, a pairing of Cy Young Award contenders Adam Wainwright and Tim Lincecum."

On the other hand, the Cardinals will probably have to pay people to watch Lohse pitch.

I dont see them making tickets any cheaper.  I assume most normal games will be the normal 2010 price and you will have to pay extra for good games.  I doubt fans get a break on ticket cost if Pujols goes on the DL or if Sept games are meaningless. 

I say the fair way to do it is bill fans after the game has taken place.  If fans have to sit through Loshe losing to the Pirates while Miles leadsoff Dewitt will send you a $15 check.

Last edited by APRTW (11/19/2010 8:22 pm)

The lawyer in me says this has the potential for some interesting litigation. If the Cardinals can argue that fans should more for a Wainwright or Carpenter start, what happens when Larussa decides to give Pujols an unannounced day off?  What about those getaway games after the team wins the first 2 games of a series?

I smell a Merchandising Practices Act claim in the making.

APRTW wrote:

So if you buy your tickets in advance this doesnt effect you, right?  Because if you do so you wouldnt know the pitching matchup or if the game will be a key playoff deciding game or not.

I have a suspicion that this approach will continue to evolve.  Pitching match-ups are something baseball fans can appreciate and understand even if they don't like to pay the premium.  What they won't be able to swallow unless it is slipped in a little at a time is the idea of assumption of the risk on the part of the consumers where rain outs and cancellations are concerned.

One thing about a Larussa managed team is that pitching matchups and lineup changes are often a last minute thing.  Anyone who drafts Cardinals players on their fantasy team knows what I am talking about.