Playoff Setup Opinion

Juggernt · 05-03-2019, 10:31 AM

Fictional league, setup like MLB 1969. Two six-team divisions in each of two leagues. Should the LCS be best-of-five or best-of-seven? I'm leaning toward the latter as it theoretically advantages the better team.

As additional commentary, how would you add wildcards here that didn't add a third division or undermine the value of being a division winner?

BoomerSoonerAMH · 05-03-2019, 04:59 PM

In the setup you described, the only realistic option for wildcards would be to add 2 wildcards per league. From there, you have 2 options (plus sub-options) as follows:

1. Add the runner-ups from each division
1a. The wildcard from each division plays the corresponding division winner in a 3 or 5 game series, with the division winner having home field
1b. The division winner with the best record gets the worst wildcard regardless of which division and both division winners get home field. This also rewards the best team in the league more than the previous option.

2. Add wildcards based on record regardless of division. The division winners and the two best teams beyond those get in. Division winners host wildcards with the best record in the league getting the worst wildcard team.

Option 1a has the advantage of minimizing travel in the first round (assuming divisions are geographically based) and assures a divisional rivalry in the first round. Option 1b seems more fair to the better of the two division winners and still allows for potential divisional matchups whether in the first round or the LCS.
Option 2 avoids the possibility of a 3rd place team in a division with a significantly better record being left out over the runner up from the other division. It theoretically guarantees a tougher matchup for the division winners than the other options but also makes sure 3 of the top 4 teams in the league make the playoffs every year.

I’d personally go with option 2.

View Poll Results: What's the Better LCS Series Length?
Best of 5	3	15.79%
Best of 7	16	84.21%
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll

05-03-2019, 10:31 AM	#1
Juggernt Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 357	Playoff Setup Opinion Fictional league, setup like MLB 1969. Two six-team divisions in each of two leagues. Should the LCS be best-of-five or best-of-seven? I'm leaning toward the latter as it theoretically advantages the better team. As additional commentary, how would you add wildcards here that didn't add a third division or undermine the value of being a division winner? Last edited by Juggernt; 05-03-2019 at 10:34 AM.

05-03-2019, 04:59 PM	#2
BoomerSoonerAMH Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 111	In the setup you described, the only realistic option for wildcards would be to add 2 wildcards per league. From there, you have 2 options (plus sub-options) as follows: 1. Add the runner-ups from each division 1a. The wildcard from each division plays the corresponding division winner in a 3 or 5 game series, with the division winner having home field 1b. The division winner with the best record gets the worst wildcard regardless of which division and both division winners get home field. This also rewards the best team in the league more than the previous option. 2. Add wildcards based on record regardless of division. The division winners and the two best teams beyond those get in. Division winners host wildcards with the best record in the league getting the worst wildcard team. Option 1a has the advantage of minimizing travel in the first round (assuming divisions are geographically based) and assures a divisional rivalry in the first round. Option 1b seems more fair to the better of the two division winners and still allows for potential divisional matchups whether in the first round or the LCS. Option 2 avoids the possibility of a 3rd place team in a division with a significantly better record being left out over the runner up from the other division. It theoretically guarantees a tougher matchup for the division winners than the other options but also makes sure 3 of the top 4 teams in the league make the playoffs every year. I’d personally go with option 2.