If you are a purist who thought the fifth inning was too early to make a call to the bullpen during the MLB playoffs, brace yourself.

Now the calls are being made in July instead of waiting until the October drama even starts.

And people used to think that 1940s and 1950s manager Eddie Stanky took too long to get to the mound before making a pitching change!

The final two days of the MLB trade deadline spoiled the plotline for October because contenders left middle-of-the-rotation starters dangling on the market in favor of hoarding closers and setup relievers who haven’t pitched in a high-leverage game all season.