MLB: Why the Expanded Playoffs will Ruin Baseball

In case you haven’t heard, the MLB will reportedly add an extra wild card team to the playoffs in both the National League and American League. According to Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, the expanded playoffs could begin as early as next season, and it would result in the two wild card teams playing a one game playoff to determine who advances to the Division Series. Selig, and apparently the majority of owners, believe this to be a good idea to make the playoffs more exciting and popular. However, I disagree. 

While the expanded playoffs will no doubt help teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves, it will also diminish the September postseason runs. Do we all remember the epic collapses by the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves this past fall? With an expanded playoffs, that would never have happened. While fans of those teams may be for the change, I think that fans are being robbed of entertainment. 

I believe that the September playoff races are what make baseball great, especially the collapses. When September and October roll around, many fans shift their attention to the NFL and college football and baseball is turned into an after thought. In fact, the only reason I checked the baseball scores in late September was to see how the last wild card spots were shaking up, and now that could all be lost. 

I understand that the races could be turned to the final wild card spots, but how often are we going to see two teams fighting for both spots, instead of two teams battling it out for the 6th seed in the playoffs. If the expanded playoffs were in effect last season, the races would not have been as entertaining. 

In the American League, the Red Sox would have earned the second wild card seed after falling behind the Tampa Bay Rays by one game. The closest team to the Red Sox  was the Anaheim Angels, who were four games behind Boston. If the rules had been in effect, the race for the second seed would not have even been a race, the Red Sox would have locked up a playoff berth before the last week of play even started. Tell me, where is the fun in that? 

In the National League, the same standings occured. The Atlanta Braves would have earned the second wild card seed by four games over the defending champion San Francisco Giants. Atlanta would have still made the playoffs despite a September collapse, playing a one game playoff against St. Louis. If the Braves had earned the playoff game and beaten the Cardinals, then we may not have seen one of the greatest World Series in history as we did last October. 

There possibility of a one game playoff between two wild card teams is intriguing, but for me and I’m sure many other fans, I would rather see two teams battle it out for only one wild card seed then two teams play a one game playoff. The only thing that we can do is wait and see how the September races shake up, perhaps teams that would usually be out of the playoff race will play harder knowing that there is a second spot open to them. But as for right now, I don’t agree with the expanded playoff system, but enjoy it Toronto, San Francisco, Atlanta and Los Angeles. 

MLB: American League MVP Race

With the dog days of August coming to a close and October on the horizon, various Major League Baseball races are beginning to heat up. Among them is the race for the American League Most Valuable Player trophy. Below is a list of the top five candidates for the honor, and how they stack up against each other as September looms.

1.) Curtis Granderson, Yankees CF (36 HR, 103 RBI, .278 AVG, 119 Runs)

            Before the start of the season, Granderson figured in as the 6^th hole hitter in the stacked Yankees lineup. Since then, Granderson has put together an amazing season while manning the sacred centerfield for New York. Although Granderson is benefited by hitting in front of Mark Texiera and Alex Rodriguez, he has been one of the pivotal reasons why the Yankees are once again one of the best teams in baseball. Even with injuries to Rodriguez and an early season slump from Derek Jeter, the Yankees have remained neck and neck with the Boston Red Sox in the race for the AL East crown; and Granderson’s league leading 103 RBI’s are a huge reason for that.

2.) Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox 1B (23 HR, 102 RBI, .348 AVG, 181 Hits)

            This past off season the Red Sox made the biggest splash in baseball in landing the power hitting Gonzalez from the Padres in a trade for prospects (Anthony Rizzo?!?). With the help of the Green Monster at Fenway Park, the opposite field specialist has been able to amass a career high in hits and the leagues top batting average. The only thing that is separating Gonzalez and Granderson in a (literally) neck and neck race for MVP is Gonzalez’s power numbers. Stay tuned to this race because it could actually come down to which team wins the AL East and which secedes to the Wild Card that decides this years MVP winner.

3.) Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2B (16 HR, 69 RBI, .307 AVG, 24 Steals)

            Pedroia, the Red Sox scrappy second baseman and former MVP winner is once again in the race for the leagues top performer. This season Pedroia is seeing an increase in steals and walks while still hitting plenty of home runs and doubles at the top of the Red Sox order. Pedroia’s season may be slightly overshadowed by that of teammate Adrian Gonzalez, but don’t be surprised to see Pedroia make a late season push for MVP as the Red Sox battle it out with the Yankees for the AL East.

4.) Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox CF (23 HR, 81 RBI, .312 AVG, 162 Hits)

            Four spots down the list and we have our third Boston player. After missing all but 18 games last season due to injury, the 27 year old Red Sox outfielder has put together a career year. His 23 home runs is 14 more than his previous career high as are his 81 RBIs. Similar to Pedroia, Ellsbury’s monster season is being overshadowed by Gonzalez’s, but the young centerfielder should not be overlooked; a dual threat outfielder is hard to come by, and the Red Sox seem to have the best of the bunch.

5.) Justin Verlander, Tigers P (19-5, 2.28 ERA, 212 SO, 0.878 WHIP)

            Verlander, Detroits ace starting pitcher, is cruising to his first career Cy Young award, and he still could steal the MVP from the four position players in the race. The Tigers All-Star is having a dream season, with 19 wins before the first day of September (and his second career no hitter to boot), Verlander has steamrolled the competition night in and night out. Unfortunately, the MVP voters have historically veered away from pitchers when deciding who gets the award. However, with a strong finish and 22+ wins, Verlander could still become the first pitcher to win the MVP since Dennis Eckersley did it for the Oakland Athletics in 1992 (Eckersley finished that season with a 7-1 record and 51 saves that season).

Honorable Mentions: Jose Bautista

Welcome to The Jockstrap

Hello and welcome to The Jockstrap! This blog will be a place to get opinionated posts on the happenings of the sports and entertainment world. Featured on this blog will be my views on the news of several sports teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Jets, New York Giants, New York Knicks, the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, UConn Huskies and much more! My name is Kevin Jarboe, the manager and contributor to The Sports Pouch. I am a second year Journalism student at the University of Connecticut, a resident of Trumbull, CT and die-hard sports fan. Thank you for entering the world of The Jockstrap, and I hope you enjoy what I have to say.