Postseason question...
 

With the postseason format changing, I have a question. Will the Division champ with the best record play the winner of the two wild card games irregardless of what division that winner comes out of? I.E., let's say the Rangers end up with the best record in the AL. If the A's and Angels are the two wild card teams, will the Rangers play the winner of that play in game, even if the winner is from their own division?

Re: Postseason question...
 

I believe you are correct.

Re: Postseason question...
 

Someone asked Jason Stark in his chat this week that same question. He said yes, the old rule of not playing a team in your own division in the first round has been done away with.

Re: Postseason question...
 

Thanks guys. Wow......so the team with the best record in baseball, travels in game one, to a potential division foe to play a best of 5 game series. And games one and two are on the road. That's pretty ludicrous. Why doesn't the wild card travel to the division winner?

Re: Postseason question...
 

It's a pretty crappy setup this year due to scheduling issues. They decided late in the process to make the change in playoff formatting, and they didn't have time to do the normal 2-2-1 format with the WC team playing the team with the best overall record. So, it's def. a huge inconvenience. But, the WC team does have to probably pitch their best pitcher in one of the last few games of the year, and he probably won't be available for game 1, and maybe not game 2. So a huge advantage there for the division winner.

Re: Postseason question...
 

Why can't the WC team just fly to the Division winner's place? Take the travel day out, for one year, since they decided this so late. Hell, teams do it all year.

Re: Postseason question...
 

It is horrible process for this year. They have said it because of the travel schedule that they are doing this. I expect this current format will last one year only. It is ridiculous to put a division winner at an immediate disadvantage against a one game wild card winner in a short series.

So I think by 2013 they will work out some better schedule but unfortunately this year we are stuck with this.

Re: Postseason question...
 

Can't you just imagine this epic 17 inning WC game taking place between an east coast team and a west coast team, and the team that has to go play them already on one coast or the other stuck at the airport not knowing which way to go until 2 AM or something? I think maybe it's better to be the team with the 2nd best record in the league.

Re: Postseason question...
 

That was exactly what I was thinking. It's idiotic. Why not make the WC team be the one that gets on the plane, and flies to the team with the best record. I can fathom why.....it's because the TV trucks and equipment are already at the WC stadium.

Re: Postseason question...
 

Not if the road WC team wins

Re: Postseason question...
 

Not if the road WC team wins

Re: Postseason question...
 

Good point, never thought of that. So then there is no good reason why it is the way it is.

Re: Postseason question...
 

Well, the Reds actually have a pretty good road record.. Maybe the best in the NL Central (at least a week or two ago).

The interesting thing is.. let's say the Reds end up with the best NL record.
Homer or Leake is going to be in the postgame rotation.
If the Reds play game 1 on the road, do you go ahead and start Leake in game 1 or 2, since his road splits are so much better? (I can't recall Homer's road splits now).. Then you save Ceuto or Latos for game 3.

I think the team that plays the WC is going to have a huge advantage, which is magnified by no travel day.. Remember in 1999, when the Reds had the sudden death game? They ended up bringing Neagle in relief, and burned up their whole pen , IIRC.. If the Reds had won and had to play a game the next day, they'd be at a disadvantage.

As of now, it looks like the NL WC has a good chance to be some combo of Pitt, STL, Atlanta, and LA. (with LA currently the 4th best record).. Looks like if the Reds end up with the best record, their travel will not be too bad.

Re: Postseason question...
 

In my best Jim Mora voice......

POSTSEASON? POSTSEASON? :laugh:

Re: Postseason question...
 

Notice, I specifically left the Reds out of my scenario. ;)