Baseball is a sport that is played every day. However, when it comes time for the playoffs, the top four teams get a five-day bye between the end of the regular season and the start of the divisional playoffs.
And that doesn’t quite seem like an advantage. Indeed, among the four teams which hosted the first match of their respective series, three of them lowered their flag yesterday (Saturday).
To start, the Baltimore Orioles looked good, but ultimately had to lose, Kyle Bradish not being able to last long in the match.
For the Atlanta Braves, it was their first home shutout loss this season, while the Los Angeles Dodgers were blown out by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
For the latter, we must put things into perspective. Whether they had one, five, or 28 days off, Clayton Kershaw would still have performed his circus act and the Dodgers would have lost this game.
The only exception which confirms the rule was the Houston Astros, who are not affected by these said breaks, they who have a record of six victories and no defeats during the first Division Series clashes after a leave since 2017 .
Well, you have to take it and leave it with these cheaters, but we have to admit that they know how to negotiate with inaction.
Now let’s get back to our sheep, that is to say the teams which are having difficulty breaking out of their torpor after a break which should be beneficial to the base.
The fact that seven of the last eight series Wild Card ended in a sweep (in 2022 and 2023) and the fact that the teams ranked number five and six in the National League last year participated in the Championship Series, makes some think that we should return to the format of the suicide match.
NEVER! A marathon of 162 matches should never end in a single duel.
Moreover, to return to the example of 2022, the New York Yankees and the Astros ignored the leave granted in the American League.
However, it might be worth looking into the matter to find a formula that could satisfy everyone, even if it remains within the realm of the impossible. The leading teams must have an advantage of having fought all year for the top.
