Off-Topic Forum

I have written a short paper on a proposal to change the first two rounds of the MLB playoffs.  The document is located here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zftuyEJ0DnEYkffR9BX6Fs7CyJIfn8OHA8-_nB1LFWU/edit?usp=sharing

I would love to have some feedback / suggestions from this scholarly group.

Thank you in advance.

I think it sounds exciting.  While this wouldnt increase the overall number of games played, wouldn't it require the season to extend later into the year (most likely into early to mid November)? I only ask because I could see it creating an issue with the networks now having to prioritize playoff baseball against NBA games and NFL games. 

This would replace the first two weeks of the current playoff (wild card and divisional rounds) so it shouldn’t extend the baseball calendar.

Looks like it would reduce the overall time needed for the postseason (by a day or two), and it guarantees every playoff team 9 playoff games (instead of potentially only 2, with at least 4 teams playing no more than 3 games). I like it - and the proposal was well-written.

I stand corrected. I certainly like the concept. How do we make it happen?!

I am a Mariners fan, I am not sure the playoffs really effect me :)

Send it to Theo Epstein!

I like it as well.  I'm not a fan of the two-and-done series (seems too blatantly a money-grab).  This format makes each game/series more meaningful.

If your plan includes televised games that don't require scrambling for free trials of streaming services for those of us who've cut the cord on cable, then I'm in. 

Tim,

I like the concept, but still not sure how much it values the regular season.  Results would surely vary from year to year, but based upon this years standings, the Astros would have had the easiest schedule and the Rangers the toughest.  The Orioles, Twins, Rays and Blue Jays basically the same.  Obviously home field advantage should make a difference.

I believe the division winners should get a playoff spot and the three wild cards with the best records, but seed the teams for the playoffs by record regardless of division.  Under that plan, the Orioles and Rays would have played teams with the worst combined records and the Blue Jays and Twins, the teams with the best winning percentage. I didn't do the NL, but assume the results might be similar.  This would certainly make the regular season more valuable.   Just my thoughts. 

Here's the chart with records and seedings.  Second row, modified by record.