You for it or against it?
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You for it or against it?
I hate it. Team A with 88 wins and the best pitcher in the game could beat Team B with 95 wins in a 1 game playoff and then Team A gets beat in the Divisional round 4-1.
Both teams would waste their best pitchers in the play-in game (most likely) and then basically be screwed in the next series.
Not very well thought out, IMO.
I also think it's a farce. Ideally MLB would like to add another playoff series; not just one game. However, they don't have a TV contract for that yet. They don't need to negotiate a TV contract for just one playoff game so they can start this plan ASAP.
Obviously a one game playoff in Primetime TV would be a ratings bonanza. MLB would show those ratings to Fox, NBC, ESPN and TBS to generate as much revenue as possible in order to create an additional playoff series.
If you think an additional one game is MLB's end game then you're fooling yourself.
I think it sucks that its one game... if you want to add another team to the playoffs do it, but do it right.
I still said I liked it because I like the fact of more teams in.
Less games means less revenue so owners and the Union will never agree to that. However, I can envision expanding this one game playoff to best 2 out of 3 and eventually 3 out of 5. They don't need to reduce games they just need to schedule a few doubleheaders. I don't see why that's not possible.
They should already schedule more doubleheaders anyway and give players a couple more days off. It's very common for teams to play 21 straight games in a row and that's a bit much.
I voted no, because it's just one game. Love the idea, hate the execution.
What happens if two teams tie for the second wild card spot. Then, we essentially have two elimination games to begin the playoffs.
Now, for excitement purposes, it will be really cool to have a winner take all game to begin the playoffs. However, WTE is right, it probably does limit the effectiveness of the wildcard team in the following round, which is the downside.
The big budget teams win again..."how can we effectively eliminate a wild card team's proficiency at getting to the world series? Make them play one extra game."
How about a true play-in game like NCAA BB? Add two additional teams per league and the winner advances to the tourney.
I just think a team that finishes w/ 95 wins should be able to prove they're the better team in a true 7 game series rather than a one game playoff where anything can happen.