Ok, I get it. Major League Baseball wants to draw more attention to the game by making the All-Star Game worth more to the players, right?
But is this the best way to go about it?
No.
A team could play an entire season as the best team in baseball, and still lose in the World Series because they didn't get home-field advantage.
Now you're saying, "Now wait a minute. If they were the best team in baseball, shouldn't they be good at home and win at least one the road?"
Not always true.
Take a look at my beloved Cubbies for example.
The Cubs, like most teams in the league are extremely good at home and mediocre at best on the road.
The Cubs are currently 37-12 at home and only 20-26 on the road. Home-field advantage in the World Series would be crucial for the Cubs...if the National League had won.
Every other division leader, with the exception of the Angels, has a sizably better record at home than on the road.
However, we all know well and good what the outcome of the game was on Tuesday night.
Didn't the All-Star Game used to be about having fun and showcasing the best players in both leagues for one night?
What if a pitcher had one bad night, or in the case of this year's game it goes to extras and it comes down to a play at the plate.
Should the outcome of the World Series really be determined by one game?
It is, of course, a marathon, not a sprint.
comments (3) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
The problem is that records between the AL and NL are not comparable because the teams in the two leagues are entirely different. If the Yankees or the Red Sox or the Rays were in the NL West they would probably have MUCH better records than they have right now. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if ANY one of the 5 AL East teams were in the NL West they would be winning the division.
about 1 month ago
Showcasing the best players from both leagues is what the all star game is about because they are now playing for something that counts. Players from both teams were giving it their all in the second half of the game because those players from the teams in the playoff hunt knew how important it was to win that game for their regular team.
The World Series is also not determined by one game, since the inception of "this one counts," the American league is only 3 for 5 and no series has gone to 7 games. The Marlins and Cardinals have won without the all star game in thier favor and in less than 7 games.
about 1 month ago
I'm with you Katelyn, I don't think home field in the WS should be determined by the outcome of the all-star game. Perhaps go back to an alternating, every other year scenario. Or whichever league has the best interleague record that year gets the honor. But not the all-star game.
write a new comment