https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/10/10/watercooler-wednesday-105/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers
The MLB playoffs are here but not without controversy. The airwaves and online reports are full of discussions about how the games are structured. Of greatest concern is whether they are unfair to the best teams.
Now in its second year, the new format gives the top 2 teams from each league a bye through the wild card round as well as home field advantage in the best of 5 division series. However, the logic involved does not appear to be working.
The lower-ranked teams have won 5 out of the past 8 series over the 2-year span.
Many are pointing to the layoff and then facing the 2 best pitchers of their opponent. Instead of giving the best teams an advantage, it is working against them.
It?s the addition of a best of 3 wild card series that is creating the biggest controversy. It has created, in some cases, a 5-day layoff for teams with byes. Five days of not playing. An increase of 2 days over the old system that was used from 2012 through 2021.
But what is also being noticed is that home team advantage does not offer the benefits most thought it would. So far, more than half of the teams in the playoffs have suffered their losses at home.
What do you think? Is the premise of this newly updated system a good one? Or should MLB once again change the playoff schedule so there is less down time for the better teams?
Let?s kick start some good discussion threads here ? and to take with you wherever you go during the rest of the week.
Should MLB change the current playoff rules once again?
1. Yes, change the rules.
2. No, keep them.
Vote