The annual MLB playoff format debate that Rob Manfred ignites each time he opens his mouth this time in October has returned. Like grocery shops pumping PSL into each merchandise conceivable, and the farce that’s apple cider doughnuts*, the subject sounds appetizing, but when the effluvium hits your nostrils, all you are able to do is double over, and attain for the closest water.
(*THEY’RE JUST CINNAMON DOUGHNUTS THAT YOU BYPASS THE OTHER 10 MONTHS OF THE YEAR.)
Seeing as my palate has already been sullied with the gaseous ketchup, and onion fume, it’s solely truthful that you simply get a huff as nicely, so right here’s a whiff of what Manfred needed to say.
“It’s solely Yr 2,” Manfred belched Thursday night time. “I’m type of the view it is advisable give one thing an opportunity to work out. I do know a number of the higher-seeded groups didn’t win. I feel if you concentrate on the place a few of these groups had been, there are different explanations than a five-day layoff. However I feel we’ll reevaluate within the offseason like we all the time do and take into consideration if we have now the format proper.”
Gross, huh? For some fast context, since MLB expanded to 12 seeds final season, six of the seven franchises to win 100 or extra video games didn’t advance a spherical. Solely final yr’s Astros prevented the one-and-done destiny because the Mets, Orioles, Braves, and Dodgers did not win a sequence — the latter two golf equipment finishing the meltdown in consecutive postseasons.
Solely a kind of eight entrants compelled a deciding sport (Mets!), and grumpy baseball managers are grumbling. Baltimore Oriole supervisor Brandon Hyde is one such skipper, taking challenge with the lull for groups that earned a bye, and Dodger skipper Dave Roberts famous its impact, as nicely.
I’ve the identical challenge with Manfred as everybody else: He’s all the time not sure of himself but oddly assured on the similar time. MLB is straddling the fence between embracing the 12-team format, and attempting to appease whoever thinks it’s a good suggestion to go 3-5-7-7 from the Wild Card spherical to the World Collection. 4 golf equipment from every league was excellent, as a result of groups must be nice to glorious all yr to get there.
It was a reward for the common season, so if MLB goes to water down that prize, at the least give one of the best golf equipment a full seven video games to make the most of their depth. This truncated, noncommittal BS — blended with the pitch clock — made the primary two rounds fly by with zero drama. (Who may’ve predicted that?)
We’ve performed eight sequence up to now, six had been sweeps, and no crew compelled a rubber match. Along with Dodgers and Orioles followers, Brewer, Blue Jay, Ray, and Marlin supporters deserved greater than an amuse-bouche of postseason baseball.
Each format has flaws, but we want seven video games, as a result of it’s sufficient to train a bullpen. Drive the groups and not using a bye to danger hobbling into the divisional sequence, maintain the common season schedule of 1 to 2 nights off per week, begin spherical two the day after every round-one crew advances, and make managers handle.
If an extended layoff takes place between the divisional and championship sequence, that’s advantageous. Each membership needs to be lathered up by then, and nobody desires to listen to about superstitions or excuses 4 wins shy of a World Collection. Whereas 190 potential video games really feel extreme — and my guess is the MLBPA would agree — baseball’s defining high quality has all the time been which crew can stave off attrition the longest.
Rob Manfred is the token people-pleaser who makes all events sad by attempting to appease all people. Dude, simply choose a restaurant; there are solely 4 decisions on the offramp signal. … CRACKER BARREL?! WHY DID YOU THINK THAT WOULD EVEN BE AN OPTION?!
Sean Beckwith added a tagline so the kickers to his items aren’t buried beneath 5 completely different cell adverts
