Divisional play as the first round eh? Sounds sort of familiar......
In truth, that is the single sole benefit to this Bettman idea. That's not good enough reason to do it though.
Divisional play as the first round eh? Sounds sort of familiar......
There is no way to satisfy everybody here, this option makes the most sense. We're in store for the Second Toledo War if a compromise isn't worked out to satisfy both Detroit and Columbus and this is likely the only way to do it.
Plus, baseball gets along fine with the uneven divisions for as much as everyone gripes.
Of course there are other reasons. The out of control spending, the lack of parity, the lack of replay challenges, steroids, etc.
But hey, it's weird that Pirates are in the NLC where they have to travel all the way down to Houston 10 times a year or whatever it is and vice versa.
Meh, it's still dumb that the Pirates are in the Central though. The MLB, next to the NBA, is the worst run league in North America
You know baseball is played in 2 to 4 game series, normally 3, right?? They make 3 trips, not 10.
You know baseball is played in 2 to 4 game series, normally 3, right?? They make 3 trips, not 10.
Just a thought..
Maybe the unevenness of the divisions leaves the door open to expansion, something the NHL was seriously considering pre-recession.
Meh, it's still dumb that the Pirates are in the Central though. The MLB, next to the NBA, is the worst run league in North America
Quite possible.
And there's been a lot of expression of desire to have every team to play home-and-away against all other teams (at least).
I guess so. Though maybe you could put Houston in the AL West with the other Texan team?No, what's dumb is that Houston is, but there isn't really anywhere else to put them.
Pittsburgh in the central makes a decent amount of sense.
Distances from Pittsburgh in miles
Cincy - 289
Chicago - 462
Milwaukee - 548
St. Louis - 605
Houston - 1341
Philly - 304
New York - 385
Atlanta - 691
Miami - 1178
Washington - 247
Being in the east wouldn't be THAT much better for them
I guess so. Though maybe you could put Houston in the AL West with the other Texan team?
I guess so. Though maybe you could put Houston in the AL West with the other Texan team?
Also, I forgot to mention... the MLB really should figure out the whole DH thing. Make the leagues even for crying out loud
Quite possible.
And there's been a lot of expression of desire to have every team to play home-and-away against all other teams (at least).
In truth, that is the single sole benefit to this Bettman idea. That's not good enough reason to do it though.
No, it makes for uneven play. An AL team has a lineup of 9 hitters. NL Teams have eight. So unless the NL team has home field advantage (Giants in last year's WS), the AL team often wins.Disagree. I like that the leagues have that difference. It makes the styles of baseball different.
Really, because they still made more money than the NHL. They have a larger TV contractThe MLB's popularity has plummeted. Baseball, the sport itself is doing fine and will always do fine. But until MLB has a huge re-haul, everyone will look at them and say "Don't be like that league"
No, it makes for uneven play. An AL team has a lineup of 9 hitters. NL Teams have eight. So unless the NL team has home field advantage (Giants in last year's WS), the AL team often wins.
When the NL team goes to the AL's ballpark, they play with 9 hitters too. It's not like they are forced to have the pitcher bat still.
And when the AL team goes to the NL ballpark they are at the same disadvantage the NL team has with only 8 hitters.