The first round of the MLB playoffs produced four series sweeps. The ongoing Division Series might produce two series sweeps, but if that happens it will be surprising. The Astros and Twins are tied at 1 game each; the next two games will be in Minnesota. The Phillies and the Braves are also tied at 1 game each and the next two games will be in Philly. Both of those series have provided interesting and exciting baseball; I expect they will continue to do so.
The other two Division Series matchups are a bit surprising. The Orioles had the best record in the American League in 2023 winning 101 games. At home, the Orioles posted a winning percentage of .605. Meanwhile, the Rangers won only 90 games this season and the Rangers had a slightly losing record on the road (40-41). So, naturally, the Rangers went into Baltimore and won the first two games in the series. Of course …
In one of the National League series, the D-Backs lead the Dodgers 2-0. In the regular season the Dodgers won 100 games and had a home winning record of 53-28 (.654). The Dodgers posted a run differential for the season of +207 runs. Looking back at the regular season, the D-Backs limped into the playoffs having won 84 games and they were only 41-40 in road games. In addition, and despite their winning record for the season, the D-Backs posted a negative run differential for the year (minus-15 runs). So naturally, the D-Backs went into LA and won the first two games of the series – – outscoring the Dodgers 15-4. Of course …
A lot of commentators are calling for a change in the playoff format because – – the argument goes – – teams with a BYE in the wildcard round get “rusty” waiting to play the winners of those wildcard series and so some of the “best teams” get eliminated quickly. If you run across one of those arguments, please keep this in mind:
- If we knew for certain who the “best teams” – – or better yet, the “best team” – – at the end of the regular season, there would be no need for any playoffs of any kind including the World Series.
- These playoffs seek to determine the year’s “best team” on the field and not on the stat sheets.
The 2023 regular season was a very good one for MLB. The overall attendance increased 9.6%; the total number of fans entering through the stadium turnstiles was 70,747,365 souls. Even more important, only 4 of the 30 MLB teams saw a decline in attendance:
- White Sox – – down 4,194 fans per game
- Nats – – down 1,982 fans per game
- Cardinals – – down 981 fans per game
- Dodgers – – down 300 fans per game
Forget the Dodgers figure here; the Dodgers led MLB in average attendance with 47,371 fans per game; that decrease for this year is a blip. The Cardinals had a miserable and disappointing season; the White Sox were similarly miserable and disappointing plus they had a shooting in their stadium which is of no promotional benefit and the Nats play in a front-running town and the Nats were never front-running this year. The other 26 teams enjoyed average attendance increases ranging from the Phillies (+9,579 fans per game) to the NY Mets (+109 fans per game).
I would have to say that the rule changes that sped up games by an average of 24 minutes per game proved to be positive changes for the game. TV ratings for nationally televised games were also up by 10% which is another positive sign for MLB.
Moving on … The regular season in the Canadian Football League is winding down; their playoffs begin on November 4th and the CFL championship game – – the Grey Cup – – will happen on November 19th in Hamilton, ONT. The CFL playoff format is similar to the MLB format. Three teams from each division make the playoffs and the division winner gets a BYE Week. The CFL has an odd number of teams so one team gets a “BYE Week” every week. As of today, most of the CFL teams have played 16 games; two teams have played only 15 games; the regular season is 18 games long and has been that way since the 1980s.
The teams that will make the CFL playoffs in 2023 have pretty much been determined but there are still seeding issues to be resolved in the final games.
- In the East, the Toronto Argonauts will win the division and get the BYE. The Montreal Alouettes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will both make the playoffs, but it is not yet certain which team will finish second in the division and get a home game for the first playoff round.
- In the West, the Winnipeg Blue-Bombers lead the BC Lions by one game with two games left to play. In addition the Saskatchewan Roughriders have two more wins than either of the teams chasing them, but the Roughriders have lost 5 games in a row.
Finally, let me close today with these words from author, Ambrose Bierce:
“Prayer, n: To ask all the laws of the universe be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.”
But don’t get me wrong, I love sports………
I am unworthy–but I laugh at any insinuation that a “Bye” is a detriment. “If only we wouldn’t have had that extra week of preparation.”
TenaciousP:
Have to agree with you here.