Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange
I thought it was in this thread, but it was in the "MLB 2023 Season" thread (see this, this, and this post). These were my reasons for preferring the top three teams in each division:
Division-based qualification makes the divisions more important, and division rivalries more meaningful since clubs are competing directly against those division opponents for a post-season berth. The simpler tie scenarios means tie-breaking playoff games can be reinstated — if two clubs are tied for third place, a tie-breaking game determines which team advances to the post-season; if two teams are tied for first place, a tie-breaking game decides which team goes directly to the second round and which will have to play the third place team in the first round.
Division-based playoffs also means reduced travel since contesting teams are closer together with fewer time zones to traverse, meaning a travel day could be eliminated from the post-season schedules thus shortening the overall length by a couple of days.
Taking the top three from a division is really just an extension of taking the first-place team only. If you're going to have divisions, make them mean something. Otherwise the divisions become arbitrary and effectively meaningless, in which case just scrap them and play a balanced schedule. |
Oh, I think I get it now. I must have just glossed over it before and didn't really try to understand it. But I just read it 3 times and I get it now. Interesting, very interesting.
And even if one division is weaker than another, who cares. It's not like we should be that concerned about a team missing the postseason that couldn't come even third in their own division.
Yeah, when I expand my current league from 12 to 16 I think I'll try it!