Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm slams MLB teams for extending beer sales due to shorter games

Several new MLB rules enacted this season have done exactly what officials had hoped in speeding up the pace of play and reducing the length of games.

However, quicker games have reduced the time fans have to visit the concession stands. And as a result, five MLB teams have already moved to extend alcohol sales through the eighth inning, instead of the seventh — as has traditionally been the case for years.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm says the trend is going in the wrong direction.

"The reason we stopped hitting the seventh before was to give our fans time to sober up and drive home safe, correct?" Strahm asked on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast.

"So now with a faster pace game, and me just being a man of common sense, if the game is going to finish quicker, would we not move the beer sales back to the sixth inning to give our fans time to sober up and drive home?"

He makes a good point. Is the real issue fan safety? Or is it a matter of lost revenue?

"I'm not surprised. When you mess with billionaires' dollars, they find a way to make their dollars back," Strahm continued. "I think as a fan of the game, and just looking out for people, it would make more sense they stopped the sales in the sixth."

Which MLB teams permit later alcohol sales?

So far, six MLB teams allow alcohol sales beyond the seventh inning.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and (of course) Milwaukee Brewers moved to extend alcohol sales through the eighth inning earlier this season.

The Houston Astros just announced that 40% of their concession locations will continue alcohol sales through the end of the game — or four hours after first pitch, whichever comes first.

The Baltimore Orioles already sold alcohol through the eighth inning, or until 3½ hours after first pitch, whichever came first.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phillies' Matt Strahm criticizes MLB teams over extending beer sales