MLB VP: Playoff field could expand for 2012 season

[NAHSTE]

I'm completely against this, but what are your thoughts?


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5814877

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

We've talked about this before, but i'm a HUGE fan of the one game wildcard playoff series.

Three division winners in each league, with two wildcards. The wildcards play a one game "series", winner moves on to face the #1 seed.

This is a win/win. First of all, it helps avoid shitty divisional "races" like we had this year in the AL East, where neither team gave a shit about winning the division. The Yankees and Rays would have been playing their asses off to win the divsion and avoid the one-and-done scenerio.

Secondly, adding a playoff team keeps more teams alive deeper into the season, which is always good for attendance, ratings, and excitement.

The two sudden death "wild card games" played on a Tuesday would be a very fun and exciting day.

The average number of wins for wildcard teams has been 93, so the idea bad teams would be getting in is questionable.

 

[kmanharris]

They should fix the shitty broadcasting system they have first. Fuck having games on TBS when the play by play announcers show no energy or emotion.

 

[Lanteri]

Love it.

 

[EmpireWF]

I support it.

 

[NAHSTE]

So, basically it would add an extra wild card, and have them play a play-in series? I guess that's not too bad, but I would hate it if the World Series gets pushed back any further. It's already ridiculous to have games in November.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

So, basically it would add an extra wild card, and have them play a play-in series? I guess that's not too bad, but I would hate it if the World Series gets pushed back any further. It's already ridiculous to have games in November.

Well, it wouldnt technically be a "play in", the one game do or die would be a full fledged postseason game, count for postseason stats, etc. They would offcially be postseason births.

This is just one of the scenerios floating around, because it "punishes" the WC teams, gives a huge advantage to the #1 seed (in terms of pitching rotations/rest), and doesnt push the World Series back a single day. I love it, and hope that's what they ultimately do.

There is also talk of going back to the old 154 game season, or 156.

 

[Rudi]

So, basically it would add an extra wild card, and have them play a play-in series? I guess that's not too bad, but I would hate it if the World Series gets pushed back any further. It's already ridiculous to have games in November.

The season is already starting earlier this year. It is starting on the Friday before Opening Day usually is so theres a weekend series to start the year. That brings the WS back into October I think.

As far as expanding, I am against it. Only 4 playoff teams per league makes it an actual big accomplishment to get in the playoffs.

 

[Lanteri]

The season is already starting earlier this year. It is starting on the Friday before Opening Day usually is so theres a weekend series to start the year. That brings the WS back into October I think.

As far as expanding, I am against it. Only 4 playoff teams per league makes it an actual big accomplishment to get in the playoffs.

How exactly does 5 per league make it less of an accomplishment? It's still only 1/3 of the league, compared to over 50% in the NBA, NHL, and however many it is in the NFL these days.

 

[FedEx227]

Well, it wouldnt technically be a "play in", the one game do or die would be a full fledged postseason game, count for postseason stats, etc. They would offcially be postseason births.

This is just one of the scenerios floating around, because it "punishes" the WC teams, gives a huge advantage to the #1 seed (in terms of pitching rotations/rest), and doesnt push the World Series back a single day. I love it, and hope that's what they ultimately do.

There is also talk of going back to the old 154 game season, or 156.

I thought they were going to at least a 3-game series for new first Wild Card. I haven't heard anything about a 1 game "play in", financially that doesn't make sense as you'd obviously want a home playoff game for both teams.

 

[NAHSTE]

I thought they were going to at least a 3-game series for new first Wild Card. I haven't heard anything about a 1 game "play in", financially that doesn't make sense as you'd obviously want a home playoff game for both teams.

A 3-game series would be cool, but I'd hate to see it played at both parks. It just seems like a waste of time to take a travel day or two between such a short series. I say give the higher seed HFA, and just bang out a quick series. Double header on Tuesday, game 3 if necessary on Wednesday. Give the winner a few days off and throw them back in the gauntlet.

I'm beginning to like this idea more, because like W2B said, it prevents two teams in the same division from coasting if they both have a spot assured. It also stacks the deck against WC4 and WC5 properly. Having WC4 host the entire series also provides an additional incentive.

This would not only lead to exciting pennant races, it'd also lead to some exciting 4-5 races.

-If you don't want to play a 3-game series in the opening round, win your division.
-If you don't want to play a 3-game series on the road in the opening round, finish higher than the other wild card winner.

 

[FedEx227]

I'm saying 3-game series strictly from a financial standpoint. It's going to be argued to a 3-game series. WC5 is going to want to at least get one home playoff game and the huge revenue boost that comes from that.

 

[Goober]

They need to do away with divisions and have every team in each league play the same schedule, minus their one interleague rivalry. Then they can just take the teams with the best record from each league, from there I really don't care how they set up the playoffs.

 

[NAHSTE]

Looks like this is nearly a done deal. Nobody is opposed, says Selig. Still no consensus on whether the extra series should be a 1-game or 3-game deal.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5821797