How Fast Is Too Fast? MLB Game Ends In 1 Hour, 49 Minutes After Pitcher's 'Maddux' Gem

Last night's Boston Red Sox 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers ended in just 1 hour and 49 minutes, making it one of the fastest games in recent decades.

Which begs the question - how quick is too quick?

I believe there's a Michael Scott from The Office joke somewhere -- "that's what she said" – but for today's purposes we're going to keep this related to sports only, so calm down everyone!

FASTEST GAME SINCE 2010

Fans can blame Red Sox starter Tanner Houck for last night's quick game, as the 27-year-old pitched a ‘Maddux,’ a shutout accomplished in less than 100 pitches. The term is named after MLB pitching great Greg Maddux's 1995 pitching performance in which he finished a game with 88 pitches. Last night, Houck did so with a ridiculous 94 total pitches.

But the larger question remains - is an MLB game that ends in less than 2 hours even worth the price of admission? 

It's a fair question when one considers the high cost of tickets these days (especially at Fenway Park) as well as the ridiculous amount to park and let's not forget about concessions. Speaking of that, with alcohol sales stopping in the 7th inning, you figure that it gave people about 1 hour and 10 minutes or so to get drunk. That's barely enough time to get a buzz.

And God help anyone who decided to show up to the game a little bit late - might as well just stay home.

That is, of course, unless you're a true baseball fan and wanted to see one heck of a pitching performance, which is exactly what Houck delivered. When asked afterward by reporters if there was ever any consideration about taking him out of the game, Sox manager Alex Cora responded "Absolutely not," because "tonight belonged to Houck."

With MLB games averaging 30 minutes less than just two years ago thanks to the pitch clock and new rules, fans may want to start getting to the ballpark as early as possible just to make it worth it.