Nine of twelve

We don't know if the AL West is the worst division in the AL. If the NL West is the best division in the majors and if the AL West is average the result would be a losing record for the AL west. I suspect that's the reason that the decision was made to have second place finisher in each division receive a higher seed than the two wild card teams.

Choosing a number is not just arbitrary. One must consider the mathematical mechanics of a schedule proposal. First, consider the regular season. Ideally it should be set up so that every team has the same schedule, which means the same number of games against each team within the division, the same number of games against each team in the other two divisions in the same league, and the same number of games against each team in the other league, with an equal number of home and away games against each opponent. That requires an even number of games against each team. How could this work? Regarding interleague play, the current arrangement of playing each team in one of the three divisions in the other league, rotating each year, is probably the best that can be hoped for. I think the so-called rivalry series should be eliminated. The novelty of the Cubs playing the White Sox, the Yankees playing the Mets, etc., has worn off, IMHO. The probable best option is to have 20 interleague games, two home and two away against each team. Next, regarding intraleague extradivisional opponents, let's set 8 games per team. Since there are 10 such teams that's 80 games. That brings the total of games so far to 100. Then, regarding intradivision games, 14 games per opponent is 56 games. This makes 156 games, which to me sounds about right. Regarding the postseason, I think advancing 5 teams from each league is the best option and I like the current format. Many will say that a 1-game elimination series for the two wild card teams makes it more unlikely that the better team will advance, and that point is well taken. However, the strong reason in favor of the current format is that it gives a team more incentive to win its division. That said, I wouldn't oppose making the wild card series a best-of-three if the regular season is reduced to 156 games.

Winnah!

No reason not to challenge in the bottom of the 8th.

C'mon, Eddie, put this game on ice.

I'm thinking it but I'm not going to post it.

That's the mark of a really good pitch.

OK, boys, let's get him in. I'm going to keep going to this well until it dries up.

OK, boys, let's get him in.

I only caught a few minutes, but no, he was pretty good. He talked a bit about the arranger of a particular song and the context of the recording.

Good call!

Nice!

He beat the shift out of that ball.

I can't stand to listen to him doing Yankee games. I'm sure his smarminess is loved by their fans but I just can't. That said, I was flipping channels on my Sirius XM one morning and happened upon his stint as a guest announcer on the Frank Sinatra channel. And I realized listening to him that he really has the pipes for radio.

OK, boys, let's get him in.

OK, boys, let's get him in.

Good to see Arraez back to being Arraez!

OK, boys, let's get him in.

Beautiful play!

OK boys, let's get out of this now and get the offense in gear. We'll need it.

The worst of his mispronunciations, because he's had four years to rectify it, is pronouncing Adrianza with a long a.

Twins now can not be #1 seed.

The Reds aren't shifting the 3B. They know better than to go for a fielding advantage with one out at the expense of allowing a big lead by the runner at third.

That's actually better than Gladden does.

Dang me. GIDP to end the inning. I should know better than to post this. I feel shame.