June 8, 2013

The Problem with Interleague and How to Fix It

I have a lot of problems with Interleague Play. It started when I first started following baseball and realized there was no rhyme or reason to how interleague games were scheduled. Then it leaked over to the All Star Game with the Midsummer Classic determining home field advantage for the World Series. Finally, the nail was driven into my coffin for Interleague with realignment forcing the monstrosity to be season wide.

I then had a very reassuring Twitter converstation that made me realize it’s time for the Andrew Pregler plan for MLB that isn’t centered around PED’s and suspensions.

First and foremost, we are going to be rid of interleague play. Done. Finished. There will be a four game set on the final weekend of June with the current MLB rivalry format. That is it. The only other time time that the American League and National League will meet is during the All Star Game and World Series. The novelty of interleague drove some of the interest in both the ASG and World Series before 1997. That is gone now and it needs to return to rescue the interest. My mentality is simple: if the owners can’t agree on a league-wide DH, why then should the two leagues be united? If they want to be different and cling to tradition they need to go all in. The NHL became somewhat relevant by completely reinventing their game and baseball needs to do something similar.

Tucker raises hand: But what about the fact there’s 15 teams in each division…?

Ah yes, that whole situation. Since Houston has been moved to the American League and you can’t really undo that after one season, I propose the following: the last Major League expansion. Two more teams shall be added and divisions will be changed. There will be two divisions in each league, the West and the East. The schedule will be shortened, to 142 games in total. Teams will play each team in their division a guaranteed twelve games, each team in the opposite league division six times, four games in the rivalry series and a final six games against divisional opponents on a rotating basis.

The first place and second place in each divisions are guaranteed playoff spots in each division with the first and second teams from opposing divisions facing off and a normal bracket leading to the World Series. HOWEVER, if a third place team is tied with a second place team, there will be a one game sudden death playoff.

Tucker raises hand again: But uhh…we’re looking for those two new teams still….

I’M GETTING TO THAT. Beyond the Box Score is currently working on a “What if the MLB Expanded?” project I am watching like a hawk. I’m not sure what their research would yield, but I’m hoping for these two cities to be favorites based on statistical analysis: Indianapolis and Las Vegas. Why? Location that makes the new divisional format work so much better. Here are the new divisions so you can see what I mean:

AL West: Minnesota, Kansas City, Texas, Houston, LA, Oakland, Seattle and Las Vegas
AL East: Boston, Baltimore, Yankees, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit
NL West: Arizona, San Francisco, Colorado, San Diego, LA, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Indianapolis
NL East: Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Miami, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Cincinnati

As you see, the Central teams get dispersed with Vegas and Indy bridging certain areas for the two West Divisions.

Will this work? I think so. I want to hear from you: will this be the best look for Major League Baseball? Will this help keep the National League and American League apart? Let me know in the comments if I’m completely crazy.