MLB making plans to add two more wild card teams

[Dipre]

Major League Baseball could add two more wild card teams to its postseason field as soon as the 2011 season, according to the Chicago Tribune.

 

The newspaper reports the expanded postseason would create programming for the MLB Network and would create more late-season drama, as more teams would remain in contention.

 

According to the Chicago Tribune, two proposals will be sent to general managers in November. In one proposal, the two wild-card teams from each league would play a one-game playoff to determine the ALDS opponent for the division winner with the best record. In the other, the two wild-card teams would play a best-of-3 series to determine the ALDS opponent for the division winner with the best record.

 

In addition, MLB will consider adopting NFL-style rules to break a tie when two teams finish with identical records with a playoff berth on the line. Instead of a one-game playoff, which is the tie-breaker process now, head-to-head records would determine which team makes the playoffs and which team doesn't.

 

 

Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-10-13/mlb-making-plans-to-add-two-more-wild-card-teams#ixzz13QiLEol0

 

Interesting idea.

 

Thoughts?

[redsoxrules]

the only way I would like it is if they would follow like football does, 2 top teams gets a bye first round and run the series as follow best of 3 the first round , best of 5 second round , best of 7 for the rest

[Youk Of The Nation]

No. No no no no no.

[a700hitter]

I still don't like the wild card, but I don't completely hate it, because we needed it to win the first championship. I really think what differentiates baseball from other sports is that it is such a marathon and the regular season means more than in most sports.

 

You should add a poll to this thread.

[Emmz]

Wouldn't mind it, more baseball is more baseball to me.

[example1]

I'm open to the idea of another wild card team and think it would be good for smaller market teams. Having another wild card spot would increase the number of interested spectators. Also, it would increase the competitive length of the season, probably for 5-6 markets in each league.

 

A one game playoff, however, seems like a s***** option at the end of such a long season. I'm not interested in seeing any "race for the play-in game"... that's weird.

 

1. 3 game series: #5WC vs. #4WC

2. ALDS: 5 game series: AL2 vs. AL3

3. ALDS: 5 game series: AL1 vs winner 1

4. ALCS: 7 game series

 

 

I would be fine with them doing that next year. It's the type of adjustment that the league can do pretty easily and I suspect it will seem like a no brainer in 5 years.

[Keeper]

Eh, not a fan.

[bsox0407]

Not a fan. Really Like the intensity when it comes down to one spot. Both Sox would have made it into the playoffs. and the Cardinals and Padres. If the East keeps like it is in the AL then it would be Three East Teams.

[Emmz]

I'm open to the idea of another wild card team and think it would be good for smaller market teams. Having another wild card spot would increase the number of interested spectators. Also, it would increase the competitive length of the season, probably for 5-6 markets in each league.

 

A one game playoff, however, seems like a s***** option at the end of such a long season. I'm not interested in seeing any "race for the play-in game"... that's weird.

 

1. 3 game series: #5WC vs. #4WC

2. ALDS: 5 game series: AL2 vs. AL3

3. ALDS: 5 game series: AL1 vs winner 1

4. ALCS: 7 game series

 

 

I would be fine with them doing that next year. It's the type of adjustment that the league can do pretty easily and I suspect it will seem like a no brainer in 5 years.

 

I'm with this all the way.

[BSN07]

I like it. I don't know how they lay off is going to effect the team that winds up #1. It has to be a 3 game series. 1 game is ridiculous and 5 is too long for the other team to be off. Also it should be played in 3 consecutive days.

[BSN07]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/10/26/union.expanding.playoffs.ap/index.html?eref=sihp

 

Players union says the be ok with expansion in 2 years.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

No. No no no no no.

That.

 

Baseball teams are used to playing everyday, with maybe one day off a week. A first round bye would be a really dubious award, it would shatter any and all rhythm they had.

[ohiosplendidsplinter]

No, no, no! Oh! For the good ole days!!

[Northern Star]

I vote no, but there's not enough money to be made with the status quo.

 

I love baseball, but I hate MLB.