MLB Releases Full Schedule for 2012 Postseason

The MLB postseason is just two months away and on Thursday, the full postseason schedule was released, certainly causing excitement for fans in certain cities and that usual feeling of being left out for others.

Below is a full listing of the rounds and dates, along with information about the new format and broadcast information. 

And for fun, I'll analyze the new format to be utilized in 2012 as well.

Batter up!

Schedule, Format and Television and Radio Coverage

Round	Date(s)
AL and NL Wild Card	October 5
NLDS and ALDS	October 6-12
ALCS	October 13-21
NLCS	October 14-22
World Series Game 1	October 24
World Series Game 2	October 25
World Series Game 3	October 27
World Series Game 4	October 28
World Series Game 5	October 29
World Series Game 6	October 31
World Series Game 7	November 1

Notes: TBS will air the two Wild Card games, 18 of the 20 possible Divisional Round games and the ALCS. FOX will broadcast the NLCS and World Series. The MLB Network will air two Divisional Round games—one on Sunday, October 7 and the other on Wednesday, October 10. ESPN Radio will broadcast all postseason games. In 2012, the Divisional Round will be in a 2-3 format, with the lower seeds opening at home. In 2013, the format will revert to the traditional 2-2-1 style.

For the MLB's full press release, go here.

Analysis

I haven't been a fan of adding an additional Wild Card team, but I know when to quit an argument in the face of inevitability, so I'll spare you. What I will complain about, however, is that the MLB isn't really committed to the extra round they added this year.

A one-game playoff between the two playoff teams in each league? Really? Honestly, why bother? 

The playoffs are supposed to be about pitting teams in a series, not pitting them against each other in one game when anything can happen. How would you feel if you were the Wild Card team with the better record, proved over 162 games that you deserved to be in the playoffs, had one bad game and, boom, no divisional series for you?

Pretty lame, right?

The new format should be a three-game Wild Card Round, a five-game Divisional Round, and seven games to decide the NLCS, ALCS and World Series. If you're going to add a playoff round, make it an actual round, not a one-game sudden death that devalues the regular season.

Other than that, I have no complaints. Well, other than the fact that my Philadelphia Phillies totally stink this year, that is.

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