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.