Playoffs? You Wanna Talk About Playoffs?
You wanna talk about playoffs? Here’s some food for thought.
The Texas Rangers went into last night’s contest with 75 wins – just four less than the Toronto Blue Jays. By night’s end, that gap was narrowed to just three games.
Now if the Toronto Blue Jays were playing in the American League West, we’d have one hell of a pennant race going on right now. Unfortunately, while the Rangers are playing for a playoff spot, the Jays are just … well, playing.
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In an attempt to even things up and have a little more diversity (def: an old, old wooden ship) in the post-season, Tom Verducci from Sports Illustrated suggests that Major League Baseball should develop a two-team Wild Card system for each league.
The jist of it was the two wild card teams face off in a sudden death win-to-get-in game while the division leaders sit back and wait for the winner.
It’s an interesting concept because not only does it give another team in each league the opportunity to make it into the playoffs, it also gives an incentive for teams to win the division.
Since Major League Baseball is so inept to change, I think out of all the proposed items such as balanced schedule, expanding the playoffs, and even division realignment, this extra wild card team scenario is the most feasible and would take the least amount of work.
Just as Verducci mentions in his article, look at last year’s tiebreaker game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. Even as a Blue Jays fan, I was glued to the television during that game and it was so exciting because everything was on the line.
Yeah, it would suck to see our beloved Blue Jays make it to the Wild Card Elimination Game and lose on the 163rd game of the year, but at least they’d have a chance to make the playoffs that way.
Even if the Blue Jays sweep this four game set against the Texas Rangers, until Major League Baseball changes things up in the next few years, the only thing teams like the Blue Jays will be playing for in September … is their paycheques.
I read that article yesterday as well and liked the idea. It adds excitement to the season, gives incentive to winning the division, and opens up the races to more teams. But most important, it doesn't dilute the playoffs or add weeks on to the season. One extra game? No brainer.
I'm pretty hopeful for next year, even in the AL East. I think Toronto has a chance to be really close. The whole season may be the playoffs.
Jeremy, they could easily fit that one game into the schedule. Considering there was so much down time during the playoffs last year, it should be very easy to squeeze in one extra game.
Mattt, much like you I am very optimistic about next year. This year was total gravy, and even I expected them to finish somewhere around 72 wins. Crazier things have happened!
There was talk of 100 losses before this season started. If the rotation takes a step forward, Hill and Lind rebound, Bautista still mashes even at a reduced rate and the odd trade happens, I'm seriously excited. When's 2011 start?
Mattt, crazy to think this season is already over, eh? At least the picture to begin 2011 will be much brighter than it was prior to the beginning of 2010.