Tom Verducci's Revised Playoff Idea

[Warner2BruceTD]

Two wild cards from each league, but here's the rub...they would play a ONE GAME "series" in the Wild Card Round, with the winner moving on to play the division winner with the best record in the LDS.

This really puts a premium on winning the division, so you would avoid the situation the Yankees & Rays are in, where they both coast into the playoffs with nothing really at stake. Both teams would still be playing with there asses on fire to avoid the risky one game WC situation.

It would also keep more teams alive deeper into the season, because of the 5th playoff spot. This is always a good thing, especially around the deadline.

Plus, nothing is more exciting than an elimination game, and we'd get two right after the season ends.

This is a win/win/win idea. They need to do this.

[NAHSTE]

I don't know about adding a playoff team, but I'm a neo-purist who would prefer going back to two divisions per league.

It'd add some excitement but in some years it'd be pointless. What if the 5th wild card is 5 games behind the 4th wild card? You really gonna give them a 1-game get out of jail free card when they failed by that much?

[Warner2BruceTD]

I don't know about adding a playoff team, but I'm a neo-purist who would prefer going back to two divisions per league.

I used to be the same way, but i've come to accept that you can't stop progress, and sports have changed and evolved since day one. I've learned to get used to expanded, diluted playoffs, and I try to find the positives. I think it's good that more teams are involved in the race - as long as it doesnt turn into the NBA.

It'd add some excitement but in some years it'd be pointless. What if the 5th wild card is 5 games behind the 4th wild card? You really gonna give them a 1-game get out of jail free card when they failed by that much?

I look at it more from the perspective of not rewarding any WC with a "free pass" into the LDS. This really puts a premium on winning the division, something that has sorta gotten lost in recent years. If the Cards sneak into the WC, do you think they (or the fans) honestly give a fuck that the Reds won the division?

[NAHSTE]

I used to be the same way, but i've come to accept that you can't stop progress, and sports have changed and evolved since day one. I've learned to get used to expanded, diluted playoffs, and I try to find the positives. I think it's good that more teams are involved in the race - as long as it doesnt turn into the NBA.



I look at it more from the perspective of not rewarding any WC with a "free pass" into the LDS. This really puts a premium on winning the division, something that has sorta gotten lost in recent years. If the Cards sneak into the WC, do you think they (or the fans) honestly give a fuck that the Reds won the division?

I agree with this reasoning, I think winning the wild card should be less important than a division. What I think they should do is just scrap the divisions and play every team an equal amount of games, top 4 records advance. Or break into two divisions and give two wild card spots regardless of division.

[Warner2BruceTD]

bump

showing I am consistent with my viewpoint, despite these nasty accusations in the chatbox due to the Reds current standing

viva la expanded WC

[Goober]

Smuggle Shepard...