While the World Series is currently captivating fans, there’s an important discussion that can’t be avoided. MLB altered its playoff format two years ago, expanding the postseason to accommodate 12 teams, with six in each league and the top two seeds earning first-round byes.
On the surface, it appeared to benefit the strongest teams in each league, allowing them to rest while the other four teams battled for a spot in the NLDS. However, the extended breaks have proven more problematic than advantageous. Timing is crucial in baseball, and teams with byes have a 3-5 record in the NLDS over the past two seasons.
It’s possible that this trend is merely a result of a small sample size. Baseball has a history of producing unexpected outcomes, regardless of the playoff format. Nevertheless, ahead of the World Series, Rob Manfred indicated that the current MLB postseason format would be reviewed before the 2024 season.
Manfred stated, ‘I can say that the ongoing debate, a constant in our sport, will at least spark a discussion about whether we have it right. I’m certain this conversation will occur during the postseason. Enough has been written and said to warrant reflection and dialogue.’
‘If the outcome was predetermined, meaning that winning 100 games in the regular season guaranteed a World Series victory, I don’t believe it would be as intriguing as what we’ve witnessed in the past month,’ Manfred added.
Baseball can never completely eliminate the unpredictability of the postseason, and Manfred rightly argues that it’s not a goal they should pursue. This unpredictability is part of what makes the game so special in October. Additionally, he acknowledges that two years is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.
However, baseball also wants to preserve the allure of regular season success. A 162-game season determines the best teams in the league, and they should be appropriately rewarded for their regular season achievements. Failing to do so could have a negative impact on the sport’s long-term prospects.
Why should teams care about winning their division or having the best regular season record if a team that barely scrapes into the postseason with an 84-78 record has an equal chance of winning the World Series?
These are discussions that must take place this offseason, although it’s uncertain if any changes will occur until there is more evidence indicating that the extended breaks hamper the performance of top-seeded teams in the postseason. It’s likely that changes are still a few years away, but if the same issues persist in 2024, this conversation will undoubtedly become more prominent.”
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