Is a 162 game schedule exactly the right number to determine who goes to the playoffs?

Question

And once the playoff teams are identified is the playoff format exactly right to determine the champion?

Great answers from everyone so far and you have confirmed my belief that there are many true fans out there that care about the game and have the ability to communicate your possitive input with others.

Unlike football and basketball the baseball teams that make it to the world series are not representative, in a short series, of what they were during the season. The Twins are clearly not one of the elite teams this year but would be difficult to beat in the world series if they had Santana go three games and close with Nathan. How good would the Podres be if they could get three games out of Peavy and close with Hoffman. A few key players assume a much larger roll in the world series when compared to the regular season. You don't have this situation in football and basketball.

Answer 1

I think a 162-game is more than sufficient, and they could probably get by with 150 games. That would still be more than enough to separate the better teams, especially given that only 8 will make the playoffs. Compared to the NBA and NHL with their 82-game schedules and 16 teams making the playoffs, it's truly a grind to qualify for postseason baseball.

Baseball playoffs are a strange creature. I don't have a problem with a best-of-seven, but I really don't believe that the "best" team will win the World Series each season. It seems ridiculous that you take 162 games to crown a division winner, then want to possibly anoint a different team for beating them in a single series. With all due respect to last year's Cardinals, for example, the Tigers and Mets were both better teams over the much more meaningful 162-game schedule.

I think the whole thing is fine as is. I don't really believe in the validity of the playoffs, but I also don't know of a better solution. Getting into five-of-nine or even longer series will just make people stop paying attention.

Answer 2

It will remain the number whether it is "exactly right" or not. Baseball, more than any other sport, is about statistics. The records have been based upon the 162 game schedule for a significant number of years now, and any change will cause outrage in today's (fairness and *-obsessed) society.

Playoffs and champions are a different matter. If your ideal champion is the "best" team, then I would say that no playoff system would be ideal. Get rid of divisions, and change the schedule so that every team plays every other team an equal number of times. The team with the most wins at the end of the season is your champion. (Head to head record would be the tie-breaker).
When playoffs are used, increasing the number of games in a series will make it more likely that the "better" team will win. Fewer games mean luck or streakiness can play an increased role in determining the champion. (See last years Champion St. Louis Cardinals)
{Statistics based: Increased sample size = higher degree of accuracy}

That being said, I still like the system that we have in place today. How much fun would it be to watch baseball if the champion was determined with 20 games remaining?

I also like the current setup (3 division winners + 1 wild card). If you are not a fan of the wild card, then it only makes sense that you would prefer no divisions and only one playoff team per league (like the old days). Nothing wrong with this, I just like the fun of division rivalries and 3 rounds of playoffs.
Any more round than that and the playoffs will seem to drag on and on and on and on (see NBA playoffs)

Answer 3

I think at this point the schedule is the right amount, if you add too many more games then they would play year round, I could not see them reucing the number of games because they would lose revenue. The number of games gives you an better idea of who is the real teams and who is a flash in the pan on a good run.

As far as the playoff's I think that they should be tweaked, first get rid of the All-Star game having ANY implications on the post season; I do not like the postseason schedule coming down to a pitcher from the Royals trying to get out a hitter from the Pirates (two teams that will have no impact ont he WS). I also think they may be able to break divisions up one more time and get four division winners rather than a Wild Card team that can win it all after not being able to win their own division. I have always felt that if you can not win your division then you should not be able to win the WS!

Answer 4

Baseball could have a season of anywhere from 150-170 games to determine the winners. With any less there just isn't the certainty that the real winners have been determined. Any more and, of course, we're watching the World Series as we open our Christmas gifts.

The playoffs are another matter. The LCS for years was 5 games and it never satisfied. Pitching rotations couldn't be exploited to the best degree and the brevity left fans feeling unsatisfied that the best team won.
So the Division series needs to go 7 as well. Of course, even 7 games isn't perfect, but it has been established after other numbers were tried.

Perhaps the season could be shortened to 160 or 158 or so to accommodate the series.

Answer 5

I think the season could be cut at least 12 - 15 games maybe more. That would produce a better product because players would be more fresh . . . possibly a few less injuries . . . and fewer minor leaguers would have to be brought up during the season. And guess what ??? You still end up with the best teams winning !!! The season is WAY too long !!!!

I think the playoff system is fine . . . but they manage to drag that out too. Think about it . . . they can have "snow outs" in the beginning . . . AND end of the season !!! Plus spring training. That doesn't make any sense.

Answer 6

a million. How did the Pitching team do, who had the main wins and suited era on your team. they did super!! vast Joe Saunders have been given the main wins with 12 and Lackey has the suited era with a 2.40 six 2. Who replaced into the suited hitter, the main consistent. Howie Kendrick or Casey Kotchman 3. What your team do suited , and would they preserve on with it. pitching and hitting in the seize 4. What did they do incorrect , and the way can they strengthen it. offense can zap out at circumstances.. properly offense desires to no longer zap out! 5. What activity so a methods the 1st 0.5 , replaced into the best for you the rangers and As sequence... geez challenging stuff! 6. What activity replaced into purely horrendous staring at , yet you nevertheless watched. one time the angels placed a rookie on the mound he left 1st inning and then something of the bullpen had to parent it out.. lost 8-15.. against oakland.. ouch 7. Are they in opposition for making the playoffs i think of so :) 8. Does your team choose a hitter or a glass so as that they contend and be in the Playoff race if so, who do you think of they'd desire to get. offense please!! 9. Which pitcher and hitter is the main severe to your communities sucess in the 2d 0.5 . Vladdy and properly the pitching team is super! might opt to make certain garly and weaver do a taad greater advantageous nevertheless 10. circulate ANGELS!

Answer 7

the regular season is a grind,most of the time the best team comes out on top.as far as the playoffs I believe that the team with the best record should host the WS like in the day,not some stupid all-star game determining it.

Answer 8

I'm not sure if there's an exact right number.

I'd prefer to see about 142 games. Baseball starts in April and ends in October. That's way too long.

I'm not a fan of the wild card system either.

Answer 9

I think so. Why should the players get a reduced schedule? Guys like Leiter who always moaned about reducing the schedule are spoiled crybabies.