Expanded playoffs, shortened reg season starting in 2012?

[erik316wttn]

Really interesting article from ESPN. The Players Union is planning to propose an expanded playoff system once the current Collective Bargaining Agreement ends in 2012. They would propose more playoff teams and also a possible 7-game LDS round insead of 5. Also, in order to fit this in a reasonable schedule, the idea of shortening the regular season is being floated.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5728656

 

Personally I'd just leave things how they are. The one major playoff change I'd make is more flexibility in playoff scheduling, meaning that if both WS teams sweep the LCS, it could start two days after both teams clinch, and not nearly a week later. That's just me, though.

[Bote McBoteface]

I don't like that idea. I hate basketball and one of the main reasons for that is that so many teams make the playoffs. Over half the teams....I mean really, come on.

 

The playoffs are fine the way they are. Only things I'd change is making the Division series 7 games and changing the home/away format to 2-2-1-1-1 instead of the current 2-3-2.

 

Oh and obviously I'd change the home field advantage rule.

[daske17]

I wouldn't mind a shortened season at all. By the time September rolls around, there are only 8-10 teams that are playing for playoff implications. Those late-season games between bottom feeders can't be good for either team's finances.

[jersey cubs fan]

I wouldn't mind a shortened season at all. By the time September rolls around, there are only 8-10 teams that are playing for playoff implications. Those late-season games between bottom feeders can't be good for either team's finances.

 

So if the season is shortened those meaningless games will just take place in August.

[Bote McBoteface]

There won't be as many of them.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm all for expanding playoffs to keep more fan bases interested but without dragging them on past a month. The excitement peaked in the league championship series and now it's dead. When was the last time somebody played a game?

[Sammy Sofa]

The WS should be going within 3 days after the LCS end, this is ridiculous. And 2-2-1-1-1 seems like it has the ability to stretch out series way too long as well.

[UMFan83]

I'm all for a 7 game LDS. Helps eliminate the crapshoot of the 1st round.

[jersey cubs fan]

There won't be as many of them.

 

There will be nearly as many and they will just take place earlier.

[erik316wttn]

The WS should be going within 3 days after the LCS end, this is ridiculous. And 2-2-1-1-1 seems like it has the ability to stretch out series way too long as well.

 

It would. You'd most likely need travel days in between each game, stretching a serious out to almost two weeks.

[daske17]

There won't be as many of them.

 

There will be nearly as many and they will just take place earlier.

 

There were 14 teams at least 10 games behind in their divisions by August 31. 18 teams were at least 8 games behind for the wildcard. You mean to tell me that shortening the season by even 10 games won't reduce the number of inconsequential games in September?

[Mark Priors Calves]

The 162 games schedule is obsolete. An expanded number of teams and games in the postseason makes it even more unnecessary.

[Banedon]

There won't be as many of them.

 

There will be nearly as many and they will just take place earlier.

 

There were 14 teams at least 10 games behind in their divisions by August 31. 18 teams were at least 8 games behind for the wildcard. You mean to tell me that shortening the season by even 10 games won't reduce the number of inconsequential games in September?

 

How many August games will be inconsequential when the season is shortened, since you'll now have fewer games to make up deficits?

 

I'm not opposed to a shorter season, but not because it somehow makes the games more important.

[jersey cubs fan]

There won't be as many of them.

 

There will be nearly as many and they will just take place earlier.

 

There were 14 teams at least 10 games behind in their divisions by August 31. 18 teams were at least 8 games behind for the wildcard. You mean to tell me that shortening the season by even 10 games won't reduce the number of inconsequential games in September?

 

You are just going to make the meaningless games happen sooner, since instead of having X number of games to make up ground you will have X-10 and be eliminated sooner.

[jersey cubs fan]

The 162 games schedule is obsolete. An expanded number of teams and games in the postseason makes it even more unnecessary.

 

I don't really understand what the heck this means. What makes it obsolete? It's not a piece of technology. It's 162 games because they want to get the most revenue they can out of a season, not because there is an optimal number of games needed to be played to determine the proper champions.

[Banedon]

As an extreme example, look at the football schedule. Most teams have played 7 games or so, and there are already teams that are "out of it" that are playing meaningless games. No matter how short the season, there's going to be a significant number of meaningless games...

[daske17]

There won't be as many of them.

 

There will be nearly as many and they will just take place earlier.

 

There were 14 teams at least 10 games behind in their divisions by August 31. 18 teams were at least 8 games behind for the wildcard. You mean to tell me that shortening the season by even 10 games won't reduce the number of inconsequential games in September?

 

How many August games will be inconsequential when the season is shortened, since you'll now have fewer games to make up deficits?

 

I'm not opposed to a shorter season, but not because it somehow makes the games more important.

 

The easiest way to shorten the schedule would be to reduce the number of in-division games. This by the nature of division standing would reduce the number of "bottom feeder" games, such as against the Royals, Pirates, Orioles, etc.

 

If anything, this would make remaining games more significant because of the tighter run to win the division. There will still be crappy teams, but you wouldn't necessarily get more opportunities to pad your record on them (if you're a good team).

 

Although I see your point about teams being out of it from practically day one. That's natural in any league.

[Clem Fandango]

A shortened season might actually increase appreciation for the sport. There's a lot of people who dislike baseball because the seasons are so long.

 

That being said, I could care less

[Outshined_One]

If it gives the Cubs a better chance of making the playoffs, I'm in favor.

[Guest]

What would they shorten the regular season to? 154? 140? 29?

[Banedon]

If it gives the Cubs a better chance of making the playoffs, I'm in favor.

 

It might make the final nail in the season happen a little faster.

[NewUserName]

I am against expanded playoffs. One of two things would have to happen, both of which I think are not really that cool. 1st, they would have to expand to 16 teams so no teams have a bye while other teams are playing 3 or 5 game series....16 teams making the playoffs is not that thrilling to me. 2nd, expand to 12 teams and the best 4 get a first round bye...don't really like that idea either.

 

One thing I think they should make a rule starting next season...get the next series going 2 days after the completion of the last series.

[jersey cubs fan]

I am against expanded playoffs. One of two things would have to happen, both of which I think are not really that cool. 1st, they would have to expand to 16 teams so no teams have a bye while other teams are playing 3 or 5 game series....16 teams making the playoffs is not that thrilling to me. 2nd, expand to 12 teams and the best 4 get a first round bye...don't really like that idea either.

 

One thing I think they should make a rule starting next season...get the next series going 2 days after the completion of the last series.

 

Those are not the only two things that would have to happen.

[Mark Priors Calves]

The 162 games schedule is obsolete. An expanded number of teams and games in the postseason makes it even more unnecessary.

 

I don't really understand what the heck this means. What makes it obsolete? It's not a piece of technology. It's 162 games because they want to get the most revenue they can out of a season, not because there is an optimal number of games needed to be played to determine the proper champions.

 

When there were only two teams in the playoffs (AL and NL champs), a long season (154 or 162) made sense to determine who truly were the best teams in each league. Now more teams get in the playoffs and the 162 game schedule could be reduced and still get the same result of the top 4, 5, or 6 teams in each league getting in the playoffs. I'm not denying 162 is used because it's more gates and revenue but in terms of determining the best teams, it is not needed.

[javy knows my name]

I am against expanded playoffs. One of two things would have to happen, both of which I think are not really that cool. 1st, they would have to expand to 16 teams so no teams have a bye while other teams are playing 3 or 5 game series....16 teams making the playoffs is not that thrilling to me. 2nd, expand to 12 teams and the best 4 get a first round bye...don't really like that idea either.

I would hate this sooo...much.