What does extra innings prove?

More random result: 3-2 or 10-9? Monday, February 26, 2018

Is the objective to determine which team is better or which happened to score the most?
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In the 1991 World Series the home team won every game by these amounts:
Minnesota: 3, 1, 1 (11 innings), 1 (10 innings)
Atlanta: 1, 1, 9

So what did that prove? That Minnesota was better than Atlanta? Or was it simply to entertain us with random activity and outcomes? We could flip coins, roll dice, etc. Then exult in the mostly unpredictable result. At least it wouldn't require athletes to perform dangerous acts to titillate us further.

If the matter isn't resolved in nine innings, why prolong? The ultimate outcome becomes increasingly meaningless. Other team sports, both professional and amateur, have reduced results to silly acts, like a shoot out.

The NFL limits overtime to one additional 15 minute period in the regular season but unlimited overtime in its tournament. It's basically sudden death but with cute caveats in recent seasons to give both teams the ball rather just the winner of the coin flip at the start of overtime.

The NBA is the purest, just straight overtime in five minute chunks. Play until you drop or are reduced to fewer than four players who have not fouled out. NBA does not even allow extra fouls per overtime period.

MLB is supposedly considering different overtime (extra inning) rules like start an inning with a runner on second base or limiting the game to 12 innings but only in the regular season. The tournament would still retain the extra randomness of something like a 14 inning World Series game. The Chicago White Sox swept Houston in the 2005 World Series 4-0 but game three in Houston went 14 innings and 5:41: 7-5 White Sox. Game four the next day or same day depending on when the 14 inning game ended: 1-0. Think both teams were worn out?

Pitchers used in game three:
White Sox 9
Houston 8

At what point do you consider using the next game's starting pitcher in the EXTRA inning game? Invariably, it can be reduced to having your worst relief pitcher go until his arm falls off or using a guy who last pitched in high school.

So, what did that prove? What was affirmed? Or was it mostly bookkeeping to have a final result no matter how unsatisfying?

More random result: 3-2 or 10-9? Monday, February 26, 2018

Is the objective to determine which team is better or which happened to score the most?
________________________