Is Expanding the MLB Playoffs to a 10-Team Tournament a Good Idea?

by Jill Seward on Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 10:29AM

Baseball contains some of the most debatable topics in all of sports, and with league commissioner Bud Selig‘s recent playoff announcement, another dispute lies ahead.

Selig announced on Thursday that the league is looking into expanding the playoffs in 2012, and will likely add two teams to MLB postseason play.

Do you think the commissioner’s latest idea is a good one?

Expanding from eight to 10 playoff teams will only add to the excitement after a long regular season. Adding two more postseason spots will definitely heighten the race down the stretch in September.

The playoff itself will also be an exciting event. With the two wild card teams meeting in the first round, fans will be exposed to a battle between two teams fighting tooth and nail to stay in to further prove that they belong in the postseason.

On the other hand, allowing two more teams to advance to the playoffs will also take away from the significance of the regular season. Teams can afford to lose a few more games because they have more breathing room when the postseason hits.

By allowing two more teams, you also open up the possibility of a lower-seeded team getting hot and winning the title. That may be a more exciting journey to witness, but it also takes away from the legitimacy of the “best team” title that comes with a World Series Championship.

It’s important to remember, however, that the Red Sox would not have made their incredible 2004 run without that wild card, and the MLB postseason demands more than just talent — it also calls for luck and determination.

So, do you think expanding the MLB playoffs is a good idea? Share your thoughts below.

Thursday, April 22: Do you feel safe wearing Red Sox gear to opposing stadiums?

Is expanding the playoffs in Major League Baseball a good idea?Market Research