“Talks are in the works for Major League Baseball to realign their two leagues by moving a National League team over to the American League, making each league 15 teams deep. The change would pave the way for a fifth playoff team to be added to both the NL and AL, something that many have been pushing for over the years. Since 1994, when expansion was making it difficult for teams to reach the postseason, there have been four playoff teams from each league, the three division winners and the wild card recipient. This resulted in having two rounds (Divisional Round and League Championship Series). Before ’94, the MLB only had the LCS round before the World Series would be played because each league only had two divisions. Not only would there now be an even number of teams in each league, but the division format would be stripped from baseball, making each league one big 15-team division. In addition, wild cards have won a total of four World Series, which proves that increasing the number of teams in the playoffs helps to make sure the best team wins it all.
Several positives emerge from this change. First of all, one-third of the teams in Major League Baseball would now reach the postseason, increasing the playoff expectations for teams across the league. Without divisions, we would no longer see teams playing each other upwards of 19 times a year, making rivalries between teams like the Reds Sox and Yankees or the Cardinals and Cubs a lot more meaningful. Teams could still play their former division counterparts more often than other teams, but the variety in schedules would breathe some life into baseball. This change could also open the door to lowering the number of regular season games played. Otherwise, with an odd number of teams in each league, interleague play would have to be extended year-round. Ever since 1998, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays joined the MLB, there have been two more teams in the NL than the AL. The Milwaukee Brewers were forced to make the move from the AL to the NL in order for each league to have an even number of teams. In all honesty, I have been in favor of cutting down the baseball season for quite a while, or at least giving teams more days off in between games, so I think that would be the best way to go should the change be made.
Of course, such a dramatic adjustment raises some questions and concerns. First of all, the decision as to which team would be moved from the NL to the AL would have to be made. There have already been discussions revolving around this topic and the most logical choice appears to be the Houston Astros. The Astros could formulate a rivalry with the fellow in-state squad, Texas Rangers, a team they play twice each year during interleague play already. It would make sense since the Astros do not have a major rival in the National League. It was also mentioned that the Florida Marlins could make the move and play the fellow Florida-based Rays more often. But as mentioned before, it could leave teams vying for a playoff spot playing interleague baseball late in the year if the season isn’t shortened up.
Speaking of interleague play, what is up with the schedule makers this year? I look forward to interleague play every year because it’s a chance to see teams up close that you normally don’t get to watch. This can be taken with a grain of salt this season if you’re a Milwaukee Brewer fan, however. The Brewers are in a heated race for the Central Division title in the NL with the St. Louis Cardinals and the main stretch of interleague play is fast approaching. Take a look at each team’s schedule against American League teams:
Milwaukee: @ Boston, vs Tampa Bay, vs Minnesota, @ NY Yankees, @ Minnesota
St. Louis: @ Kansas City, vs Kansas City, vs Toronto, @ Baltimore, @ Tampa Bay
I think it’s fair to say that the Brewers are getting the raw end of that deal. Milwaukee has to play the top three teams (2 on the road) from arguably the best division in baseball and then a Minnesota Twins team (twice) that is beginning to surge and always plays the Brewers tough. Meanwhile, the Cardinals get one of the weaker AL teams over the past decade (twice) and the bottom three teams from the AL East. This could to a great extent affect the division race, which appears to mainly concern the Cards and Crew with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates having an outside chance of making a run. I mentioned how I enjoy interleague play, but there has to be more similarities between the schedules within each division. If I was commissioner for a day, I would maintain the home-and-away between rivals (Twins/Brewers) and then keep the customary three three-game series open. In other words, when it came time for a team to play an interleague series against a team other than their every-year rival, simply match them up with the team in the same position in the division standings with whatever division they are playing that year. For example, if the Brewers were in 2nd place coming into an interleague series, they would face the 2nd place team in the AL East (Yankees – from the division they are designated to play in 2011). In their next interleague series, if there wasn’t a team in 2nd other than the Yankees, they would play either the first place team or third place team based on other teams’ schedules (Red Sox/Rays). I understand that this could get confusing and it’s a rather radical idea, but I’m sure Major League Baseball could figure out the details and create something a little less biased. Interleague play is fun, but it isn’t fair.
An interesting proposal was brought up by Jim Bowden of ESPN, similar to the one I wrote about regarding the NHL. Bowden brought up several good points and believed the six current MLB divisions should be realigned taking geography into account. He also believed that Major League Baseball should look into expanding the playoffs to 12 total teams. There are many solid arguments brought up in the short article, but I am much more in favor of the decision to lose the divisions altogether to give the game more of an old-school feel.
To recap: lower the number of regular season games, nothing lower than 150. Anything more dramatic would affect single-season record chases/statistics altogether…increase the number of playoff teams to five, with the first seed receiving a bye during what could now be deemed “The Wild Card Round”. I would like to see six come out from each league (I think the NFL does it right – the NBA and NHL allow far too many teams in their postseason), but I would be grateful to see at least ten instead of eight…interleague play should be adjusted so that teams play those of equal caliber while still playing their regular home-and-away with rivals. All legitimate proposals and all would increase the popularity of America’s Pastime. I hope you’re listening, Mr. Selig.”
Whats Your Verdict?