The Red Sox have clinched their spot in the playoffs, and
they’ve clinched the division title. There’s only one
I hate the new Wild Card format.
Hate it. Can’t stand it. Worst thing baseball’s ever done.
Why? Because it adds yet another team to the playoffs that
has no business being there. What’s worse, is it allows that team to advance
based upon a fluky one game playoff.
Now, I do understand the “need” for one wild card. If you’re
going to have the three division winners make the playoffs, you should allow
for an extra team since, in many cases, that Wild Card team is better than some
of the division winners. (I’d prefer not to have division winners at all, but
that’s another battle.) We’ve had wild card teams with the second best record
in baseball. So, if you’re going to have a playoff series, you need to have one
out clause for a team like that.
A second one is just overkill.
Baseball, to its credit, is at least trying to reward the
division winners. Although, not as much as they would reward them by giving
them exclusive access to the playoffs. They’re making those wild card teams
play an extra game as punishment. But, naturally, even that has its faults. So,
one wild card team could finish ten games ahead of the other wild card team.
They could have the second best record in baseball. But, they have to play a
one game playoff against an inferior team and hope a bad bounce or bad call
doesn’t end their season. Which is why players and fans are begging for at
least a three game series. That lets the bad luck even out a bit.
Unfortunately, there just isn’t the time for that sort of thing. Can’t have the
division winners sit around for a week waiting. Thankfully, I have a solution.
A three game series. All three games played in the home park
of the WC team with the best record. Two games on the first day, one game the
following day.
It’s the best of both worlds. The three games reduce the
luck factor. But, three games in two days definitely punish the wild card team.
They have to burn their rotation and bullpen before that next series. It also
gives a distinct advantage to the best wild card team, since they get to host
all three games. It even gives some excitement to every game, Since all three
games would be vitally important. Momentum-wise, it’s like three made for TV
one game playoffs. How important would game one become? To know you only need
to win one of the next two? How about game two? One team could be eliminated,
with the other team earning an extra day of rest. Game three? Obviously as
important as any game could be.
I’m not going to say it’s perfect. (After all, the only
perfect plan is this one.) I’m not thrilled about the prospect of punishing a
WC team that could be the second best team in baseball that harshly. But, as
long as baseball insists on sticking with the divisions, it’s the way it’ll
have to be.
What do you think?
Not bad. The first game would have to be on a weekend, otherwise MLB would lose precious tv revenue while most fans are working. Seems like three playoff games in about 24 hours or so would be exhausting for everyone, particularly the pitchers. Does this put the wildcard team at a disadvantage to the point where the next round isn't even competitive? Overall, it's a good idea worth considering.
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