By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty
MLB is proposing a return to a 154-game Regular Season and a best-of-seven Division Series.
One thing that doesn’t come as a surprise is the expansion of the Division Series. The league doesn’t have to make it into a best-of-seven series in the Division Series. Having a best-of-five series in the first round is solid.
The NBA made this transition after the 2001-02 NBA season. The first season the NBA Playoffs changed from best-of-five to best-of-seven was the 2002-03 postseason. A short series in the first round shouldn’t be changed. The NBA did that, and it wasn’t a great decision. MLB shouldn’t do that.
Sports always change. Business always changes. Some changes won’t make sense. It won’t change the problems of injuries/load management. It won’t elevate the sport.
The Division Series is perfectly fine as it is. Changing a 162-game schedule to 154 also doesn’t make any sense. The 154-game regular season schedule will come with a one-off day per week. Having Mondays off is not a bad idea. However, Monday games are essential if it falls on a national holiday.
From 1904-60, MLB had a 154-game schedule. Are we seeing a cycle in the works? It will take several people in the league for this to be approved.
For the postseason, off-days would be added. MLB is trying to increase ratings and create more opportunities for fans. For the division series, the No. 1 seed in each league would choose which wild-card winner it wants to play. That’s a bold proposal. Real competition means facing anyone.
MLB faces a potential lockout after the season ends. It’s going to be a long winter of discussions between players, owners, and the league office.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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