Tagged: Interleague
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.
Breaking Down the MLB Interleague “Rivalries” for 2013
This corny, old school logo sums up my thoughts on interleague play.
The MLB, in my humble opinion, has royally screwed up interleague play in baseball. No, I was not a fan of 14 and 16 team leagues but I’m not against 16 and 16 team leagues to give the perfect number of 32 and keep the American League and it’s filthy DH separate from the National League. However, in a commendable effort to make the now year round interleague play work better than in past years which consisted of Commissioner Selig’s pet blind monkey shooting darts to set up series, every division will be matched up against another Division in the opposite league.
However, this does not fill the 162 quota and keep interleague play “juicy” enough for Selig. So they added this “Rivalry” notion that was implemented last year: connect two teams from opposing leagues and do a “home and home” like in hockey to create a rivalry. All of these games will be played in the final week of May to create a “rivalry week” like ESPN manufactures in College Basketball. Some are natural and perfect. Others scream forced worse than Rafael Palmero’s steroid testimony. Because I’m bored at work, here’s the breakdown of all 15 rivalries you’ll be seeing until someone convinced Selig’s blind pet monkey this was a bad idea.
Top Ten MLB Questions in 2013
So the Giants won the whole thing? Nah they’ll be a throw in on the 2013 questions (Photo Credit Washington Post)
I know it’s a bit late but you know, spending New Year’s Eve at Eat N Park just takes so long to recover from. (Half of that statement is true, I’ll leave you to decide which.) But the 2013 season already holds so many story lines before the season starts that there is no way we can ignore them. Here is a quick list for y’all with things we’ll be writing about once the season starts.
Can Another Team Not Named the Yankees Buy a Championship?
No way around it: The Dodgers are the new evil empite in baseball for all us small market homers. The Dodgers are literally bleeding cash and are only to be replenished by the time their projection one billion (!!!!!!!) television deal is finalized. The Dodgers have one of the best rotations on paper after locking up Zack Grinke and still have Matt Kemp/Andre Ethier/Hanly Ramirez in the middle of their lineup. Needless to say, they are the paper champions of the offseason and one of the favorites to make a run.
Will a Canadian Team Win America’s Pastime?
As the Dodgers are to money, the Blue Jays are to trades this offseason. The Blue Jays grabbed the Marlins failed attempt at a team, put it around Jose Bautista and are hoping that’s enough to generate some offense. But then you say “pitching has been their issue the last couple of seasons” and they go and get R.A. Dickey. The Blue Jays are going to need all of their acquisition to live up expectations because they are still competing in the AL East, even if every team looks off a step.
What Exactly Are the Indians Planning?
Bring in a World Series winning manager who grew too complacent in Boston, a top pitching prospect from Arizona with control and mental issues, an experienced but pretty washed up ex Yankee, shake it all up real good and you have the 2013 Cleveland Indians! To be honest, I have no idea what to expect from the Indians except mediocre but expectations are there. Still, they don’t look like much more than a .500 team. In the AL Central, one winning streak in September could be all that a .500 team needs to win it all.
Sooooooo Full Blown Marlins Break Up?
The Marlins blow up their little experiment after getting a happy, shiny, new and lime green stadium. Any surprise? None? Ok moving on to actual news, Giancarlo Stanton could be yours! Listen. The Marlins aren’t doing anything in 2013. Or 2014. Probably not 2015 unless they get some pieces. So why hang on to a guy who will want out by 2015 when you can get those competitive pieces for him. Stanton could very well be the next Barry Bonds numbers wise. He played in an AWFUL stadium, missed 40 games due to injury and still hit 37 homeruns. Let that sink in and imagine him in Cincinnati or Yankee Stadium. Scratch those dreams and now think Texas or anyone with a farm system still left.
When Will Justin Upton Leave Arizona?
The Diamondbacks have too many outfielders. They have enough to field two quality outfields and therefore with holes in so many other places someone will be traded. The easy choice is Jason Kubel because of his value but still being nothing special. But, Justin Upton has been on the black for about two years and almost dealt to almost half of the league and I’m sure that if Upton struggles, he’ll be thrown around in rumors if he hasn’t been traded. Then again, if he finds success he’ll be on the trade block because he’s Justin Upton.
OMERGERD MIKE TROUT MVP?
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