(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The divisional series ended Monday and we are still waiting for the next round of playoffs to get under way. Based on the TBS ratings of the divisional series, the first round seems to be a great success even with the three short series.
The next round of playoffs does not get under way until Thursday, Oct. 15, and that seems a little long for my taste. I know good things come to those who wait, but this is a little crazy. I waited 162 games—well, really, 163 games—and I am sorry if I do not want to wait anymore.
The Dodgers eliminated the Cardinals on Saturday, Oct. 10, and the Phillies beat the Rockies two days later in dramatic fashion.
Why do I have to wait till Oct. 15, which seems like forever, to see these two teams get it on? The Dodgers only played three games, and the Phillies four.
I think MLB loses some of its built-in momentum by taking these extended breaks in between rounds. They should be able to get the playoff train back on its track and get things moving. I understand a day off for travel, and I even can live with the day off the Yankees got in the first round for TV reasons.
The Yankees beat the Twins, and the Angels beat the Red Soxs on Sunday, Oct. 11, but they do not start until Oct. 16 for Game One. Both the Yankees and Angels victories ended in nail biter cliffhangers, as the teams scored in the last inning for the win.
As a fan, Sunday and Monday were the reason we have postseason baseball. All the games were were down to the wire and exciting. I don’t understand why MLB has the layoff after spending all first round building up my excitement. My baseball side of the brain was electric by Monday, and reminded me of all the reasons I love the game and not its dark side.
The American League won the ever-important 2009 All Star Game, so they get homefield advantage in the 2009 World Series. With that being the case, why would you end the AL League Championship Series after the NL and leave the NL teams out in travel limbo assuming both series go seven games.
There should be at least one baseball game on every night in October, and we should never have two off-days, as it feels like two weeks.
Recommendations
The MLB playoffs need to be fluid, so that the next round can start early if both teams in the next round are done early.
For example: If both teams end on a Sunday, they play on Tuesday and give the postseason its proper month. October should be for baseball what March Madness is for College Basketball.
If all the playoffs go the maximum amount of games, then there is a reason for the postseason to take up a few days in November, but that is the exception, not the rule.
I know everyone complains about baseball games being four hours, but I would rather see a quicker schedule over a quicker game.
The only game going on now is the MLB waiting game, and the fans are not winning that game, I assure you.
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