Major League Baseball: Get the Schedule and Playoffs Right

In 2008, I wrote an article called "Baseball Needs a Face Lift."  Two of the three things I suggested have come to pass in the last week.

The Astros were voted over to the American League. Would it have been the Astros five years ago when they were winning? It should have been either the Brewers, with their "what conflict of interest" attitude, or one of the two newest teams in the National League.

So how will the schedule play out? The given is that there will be interleague play all year long. 

Which American League teams will open in Cincinnati? I suggest the following:

Schedule:

Eighteen games within the division=72 games

Six games against same league teams: 60

One three-game series at home against one division of other league: 15

One three-game series on the road against a second division:15

No games against the third,on a rotating basis, like the NFL does now: 0=162 total

This creates the "competitive balance" often preached but seldom implemented.

Playoffs:

Playoffs are a huge cash cow for the NFL and NCAA. The NBA, having a majority of its teams qualifying for the postseason, is a joke. If baseball is to expand its playoffs and not be a joke. 

If they are long, the playoffs could drag into November. If there is a "one and done"  it would be like the NCAA play in game(s), barely worthy of ESPN2. 

The best solution is that the two best teams get a bye. The weakest division winner and the current wild card would host a two-out-of-three series. Winners move into the current format.

Personally, I think only the World Series would be seven games.