Article: Enjoying The New Playoff Format, Twins Fans?

[spinowner]

 

To me, the biggest problem with the post season right now is there are just too many off days. Teams never play more than 2 days in a row, From the start of the 5 game Division Series to the start of the LCS, a team gets a bare minimum of 3 days off. That's what really creates a completely different dynamic than a 162 game season. I'd start by dumping the second travel day of the DS and LCS. Even if the series goes the full 5/7 games, and you have a rain-out, there is still a travel day built in before the next round that can be used. It only eliminates two days off, but it's an easy place to start in a system where the fixed date World Series isn't going to change.

I agree. The overabundance of off days lessens the advantage that a team with a deep starting rotation has. I think that's unfair. How about this: The first four games of every postseason series would be played on consecutive days, then one day off, then the remainder of the series (if necessary). If there have to be day games because of travel, then so be it. This pretty much requires teams to use four different starters. You'd have to pitch someone on short rest twice to get him three starts in a 7-game series.

 

Edited to add: In the interest of uniformity and fairness all series should be scheduled on the same days, and there would be one day off between the last scheduled game of one series and the first game of the next one, including the day between the WC game and the LDS. A team that wins its series in fewer games receives the reward of being better able to reset their rotation compared to a team that requires more games to win.

Edited September 16, 2015 by spinowner

[Otto von Ballpark]

Teams generally use 4 starters in the playoffs now anyway, even with the travel days.

 

If a manager wants to stick his neck out and try to ride a horse like Kershaw on 3 days rest, I find that interesting and not a practice worth squashing.

[notoriousgod71]

I hate it, Hate it, HATE IT.

 

The Twins are in the postseason hunt but it doesn't make me believe they're a good team. I certainly don't have the same level of excitement I had in 2006.

 

Adding the first set of wild cards ruined pennant races for the most part (with a few exceptions). Adding the second makes it even worse.

 

I don't care that the Royals and Giants made the World Series last year as play in teams. You could put the Phillies in the playoffs and they would win a series occasionally.

 

The thing I used to like about baseball was that it was special to make the postseason. Now it is approaching every other sport where all you need to do is be slightly above .500.

 

I don't believe the second wild card was added because Selig saw how exciting the Game 163s were. They were added as a money grab and an attempt to make sure Boston and New York were in the playoffs every year, which has failed.

 

I realize they'll never drop the number of teams that reach the postseason but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

[Mike Sixel]

So basically, in an entertainment business......it makes sense to keep more fans entertained. Not the hard core, the fans that only sort of like baseball, or the excitement of sports in their city when things are going well. I don't get why that it's so bad. It is entertainment, with no real meaning.