That Balls Outta Here
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MLB Playoff proposal ridiculous, here’s how it should work

By Travis Strominger

TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 28: A Toronto Blue Jays fan holds a sign about the teamâs drive to the playoffs during MLB game action against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 28, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 28: A Toronto Blue Jays fan holds a sign about the teamâs drive to the playoffs during MLB game action against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 28, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 10: Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during the 2019 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings on December 10, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 10: Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during the 2019 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings on December 10, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Consider this a “counteroffer” for MLB: Six teams make the playoffs from each league.

The top two division winners get first-round byes. The third division winner and the first wild-card team have home field advantage in a best of five series against the lower-seeded wild card teams.

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The wild-card round winners face off against the top-two division winners (who have home field advantage) in the current best of five Division Series, followed by the best of seven League Championship Series, followed by the World Series.

While Major League Baseball should reform the playoffs, it should proceed with caution – the league shouldn’t want to be burned in the end with an LCS matchup consisting of an 86-win team and an 87-win team.

My counteroffer reduces the expansion from 40% to 20%, which helps to maintain a high value on the regular season games (via the two first-round byes). Plus, it still opens the door for two more teams from each league.

Keep in mind, though, that an expanded postseason picture means baseball games are being played into November.

Does the sport want that competing with the NFL? Keep an eye out for how negotiations progress.

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