Playoffs? Playoffs???!!!

Playoffs?  Playoffs????!!!  The words of Jim Mora still crack me up.  But we’re talking MLB playoffs here, not NFL.  In the NFL, the playoffs occur every weekend, just like the games do in the regular season.  In the NHL and NBA, the postseason goes on forever but it pretty much mirrors the regular season schedule in terms of off-days.

Here’s the MLB playoffs according to Professormet:

In baseball, the playoffs drag on far too long for no reason other than TV schedules and TV money.  After six months of playing almost everyday, playoff teams now can’t seem to go more than two games in a row with an off day.  There are plenty of arguments and explanations for the current schedule, but none of them (other than $$$) hold any water.

One argument is that we want teams to put their best foot forward in the playoffs.  No one wants to see the fifth starter or a rookie middle reliever walking in runs in the postseason.  While that’s true, why don’t we have more off days during the season?  Already, we’ve reduced playoff rotations to 3 or at most 4 pitchers.  Now teams put their 4th or 5th starter in the bullpen (i.e. Joba Chamberlain) and we never see those questionable middle relievers.  This may make for exciting 2-1 games in October, but it’s not the same game that we’ve played all year.  I want to see whose got the better 5th starter and the best middle relief.  Then we’ll know who’s got the best team.

If we follow the “best foot forward” argument, why not add more off days so we only have to see the top 2 starters?  “Announcing the Phillies new playoff rotation:  Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels…”  We’re almost there.  Why not add two more off days and only see aces?  “After his stellar game one start, the Yankees hand the ball back to CC Sabathia for games 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. “  I’m all for watching the stars in October, but baseball was a team sport last time I checked.

Another problem with the off days is how looooooooong the playoffs last.  I don’t mind ending the World Series on November 1st, but we’re not far away from Thanksgiving games.  No one wants to see Mariano Rivera saving game seven dressed in his pinstriped snowsuit.  Instead of the ump dusting off home plate, he might need a snow shovel soon.  Wrap it up before Halloween.  No Mr. Novembers, please.
The “excessive use of the off day” also puts some big gaps in the playoff schedule.   Why does the AL need 4 days off before starting the ALCS?  TV schedules, I know, TV schedules.  But why not have the next series start one day after the previous series wrapped up? They made the Twins have a quick turnaround to start the playoffs, why not follow that model?  For example, if the Yanks and Angels are done on Sunday, their series should start on Tuesday (NOT on Friday).

And, if Fox and TBS want to set up the playoffs for maximum TV exposure, why are they scheduling games on Saturday (College Football), Sunday (NFL) and Monday (Monday Night Football)?    MLB playoffs can’t usually compete with football for ratings, so why not try to get series starting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?

Personally, I’d like to see Bud Selig and MLB put the sport and its fans first and TV second when it comes to the playoffs.

Comments?  Bring ‘em.  I’d love to hear your thoughts about the playoffs.  Playoffs????!!!!!!