The 2020 MLB season is over and we could theoretically have a World Series between the Houston Astros and the Milwaukee Brewers.
The problem here is that both teams have made the post-season despite having a losing record of 29-31. (As if there wasn't enough of a reason to hate the Astros).
Regardless of which team it is, this makes a mockery of baseball.
I had a pessimistic outlook of the 2020 MLB season from the outset and have watched very little of it. But with the Astros and Brewers both now having a chance at a World Series title this very possibility has put the stain of mediocrity on what used to be The National Pastime.
Curiously, the Brewers and San Francisco Giants both had records of 29-31. The Giants go home, but the Brewers play October baseball.
Let me put it another way. The Washington Nationals finished only two games behind the Brewers (27-33) and yet were tied for the last place in the NL East with the New York Mets. After 60 games in 2019, the Nats were 26-34. We all know they went on to win the World Series. It just goes to show that during a 60 game season there is a very fine line between the post-season and last place. Too fine a line. There is a reason MLB is played over six months. I realize that wasn't possible this year. Frankly, I wish they wouldn't have played at all this season. But play they did.
The Astros are due to play the Minnesota Twins in a best of three AL Wild Card match up while the Brew Crew will have to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in their NL Wild Card bout. I hope the Twins and Dodgers will dispense of the Astros and Brewers and chances are they will. But there are no guarantees.
It was a mistake for MLB and MLBPA to expand the playoff format. Had they kept it to three division winners and two wild cards then this abomination would never have happened.
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