Does the MLB playoffs need tweaking?

As the MLB regular season winds down, fans are watch a very tight race in the NL West and Wildcard, while watching a lackluster race in the AL East and Wildcard. Why is this? Because the spots are pretty much wrapped up, with the runner-up of the AL East getting the wildcard spot. This has led to a late season series between the Yankees and the Rays not as exciting to watch as it should be. While I’m not a fan of the MLB expanding its playoff teams to nearly have the league like the NBA or the NHL, I definitely think the MLB playoffs needs a change.

Here is what I think should be done with the MLB playoffs. Currently, 4 teams from each league make the playoffs: the 3 division winners and 1 wildcard. First, I think the MLB can cut its season down 10 – 20 games because 162 is a lot (bare with me here). Next, I think the MLB should take another wildcard team. Now that there are 2 wildcard teams, they should play a best of 3 series. Doing this allows the division winners a bigger incentive to go for the title and would prevent the situation of the Yankees and Rays resting their players.

I mention that the MLB should cut their season down 10 – 20 games because the MLB playoffs already take a long time and with the new added series, this will make up for that time. Doing this, I think will be more exciting for the players and fans. I think the players would like to see a chance to make the playoffs more rather than play 10 - 20 more games.


Bud Selig recently stated that the MLB would look into changes. This is just one of many options the MLB could take. It won’t fix PEDs or broken bats but it will bring a much needed change to the playoff race than what we are seeing now.

-TSM

Derek Jeter, Fair or Foul?

To me, there’s a fine line between gamesmanship and cheating in sports.  For those of you that didn’t see the Derek Jeter moment the other night, it was a play that I thought crossed that fine line.  Now there are many replays of it on YouTube  but you can view it here.  To recap, the Yankees were playing in Tampa against the Rays.  He was at bat at the top of the 7^th with his team down 2 – 1.  Jeter lined up to bunt but was “hit” by the pitch.  After hearing the sound, I watched the game and knew he didn’t get hit.  The replay confirmed he didn’t get hit but Jeter put on an act afterwards to sell to the umpire that he did get hurt.  The Yankees’ trainer even came out to check out Jeter’s elbow/hand.

Here’s my take on the play.  I would have been fine had Jeter let the umpire make the wrong call and award him first base (which the umpire did).  The fact that he played it out to be something serious, had the trainers come out, and spun around afterwards and acted in pain is just too much.  It got to the point where Joe Madden came out and argues that it clearly hit Jeter’s bat.  He should be more of a professional and just taken his base, not be an actor.  This just sends the wrong message to kids that admire him as a player.

Measurement Required?

As the slew of NFL games started today, I observed an aspect of the game that got me thinking as to why it was necessary. Have you ever seen the officials bring out the chains and measure the spot of the football? Or when coaches challenge the spot of the ball? To me, this part of the game just seems absurd because it is subjective to the officials and there are times when the officials don’t pay attention to where the ball is. It just seems weird that in a game where the ball is a huge aspect of the game and with a big playing field, an official is able to “pinpoint” where the ball is stopped and then have to bring out the chains to measure.

It’s Football Time!

 

The grass is cut, the air is getting colder, and the lights come on.  Yes, it’s football season.  Although one game has already been played this season, starting with the Saints and Vikings, there’s more than 200 games left to be played.  While the opening season game didn’t live up to the height that it did in last year’s NFC Championship game, I know there’ll be a lot more exciting games this weekend.   

My games to watch this weekend are Cincinnati at New England, and then Baltimore at the new stadium against the New York Jets.  Both games have major star power and will be very exciting to watch.  Cincinnati, of course, has the double-headed wide receiver monster and with a star quarterback in Carson Palmer.  Look for them to take advantage of the young New England defense.  New England has the NFL’s highest paid player in Tom Brady and the return of Wes Welker, two guys with chemistry. As I mentioned before, a young defense needing leadership could be trouble for them.

Here are my predications for the division winners. 

AFC East – New York Jets                                               

AFC North – Baltimore Ravens                                   

AFC South – Indianapolis Colts                                   

AFC West – San Diego Chargers                                   

Wildcard 1 – New England Patriots                                   

Wildcard 2 – Cincinnati Bengals                                   

NFC East – Dallas Cowboys

NFC North – Green Bay Packers

NFC South – New Orleans Saints

NFC West – San Francisco 49ers

Wildcard 1 – Minnesota Vikings

Wildcard 2 – Philadelphia Eagles

Sports fan: Which One Are You?

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the New England Patriots preseason game against the New York Giants.  While it's only a preseason game, it was still fun because the team is very close to the regular season and the tickets were free.  Throughout the game though, I observed a few interesting fans that I think is applicable throughout any sporting event that you would attend.

First off, the one that I personally don't understand are the fans that come to the game wearing a jersey of a team that's not involved in the current game.  This fan was wearing a Hasselback Seahawks jersey.  Now I understand if he was wearing a Sanchez Jets jersey because the Jets are rivals of the Patriots, but the Seahawks are not even in the same conference.  I understand if he wants to show off his team pride but don't make yourself look like a fool.

The next one is one that is at every event: the obnoxious drunken guy.  I get that they are trying to have a good time with their buddies but there's a reason that stadiums stop selling beer after the 3rd quarter, of after the 7th inning, to prevent obnoxious fans. But to load up before that and yell profanity in front of little children is too much.  The whole stadium should be family-friendly, not just one section.

One of the most annoying fans are the ones that come to the game decked out in team gear……..and then are on their phone the whole game.  This is the most ridiculous thing ever that I just want to dump my soda on them.  The worst is when I see these fans on TV in the expensive seats and are talking on the phone.  You're there for the game, how about watching it!

Other types of fans I would say one would see is the frequent get-out-of-my-seat guy, the walk-around-the-stadium fan, and lets-try-to-get-the-wave-going-over-and-over-again fan.   Okay, so maybe the last few fans are more funny than annoying but you get the idea, I'm sure you've encountered them before.  Do you agree?

-TSM