Tampa Bay Rays
*Option 1
Each team plays the 3 other teams in its division 16 times = 48 games (Four 4-game series against each team)
Each team plays the 12 other teams in the league 8 times = 96 games (Two 4-game series against each team)
Each team plays 3 games against each team in 1 division from the other league on a rotating basis = 12 games (One 3-game series against each team)
This would result in a 156 game schedule, slightly shorter than the current 162. The regular season absolutely needs to end the last week of September.
Ideally, only the division champions make the playoffs, with them being seeded #1 - #4 based on overall record. Each round of the playoffs, Divisional, LCS, and World Series would all be best-of-7. Home field advantage in all rounds would be given to the team with the best record.
For those who argue “Wild Cards” are necessary, the division-winning teams could still be seeded #1 - #4, with the four non-division winning teams with the best records claiming the #5 - #8 seeds. The Wild Card round would be best-of-3, but the division winning teams would host all games. If this was done, the divisional round would have to be cut down to a best-of-5 series. The playoffs need to be wrapped up by Halloween. Baseball should not be played in November.
I favor this plan for the following reasons:
The American and National Leagues remain, as they have for over 125 years.
2. It causes minimal disruption, with only Colorado and Tampa Bay needing to switch leagues.
3. It puts great emphasis on playing in, and winning your division.
4. The divisions are aligned as geographically close as possible to create regional interest.
5. For people who like inter-league play, it still allows for it, but on a minimal basis.
*Option 2
Each team plays the 3 other teams in its division 12 times = 36 games (Three 3-game series against each team)
Each team plays the 12 other teams in the league 6 times = 72 games (Two 3-game series against each team)
Each team plays 3 games against each team from the other league on a rotating basis = 48 games (One 3-game series against each team)
This would result in a 156 game schedule, slightly shorter than the current 162. The regular season absolutely needs to end the last week of September.
Ideally, only the division champions make the playoffs, with them being seeded #1 - #4 based on overall record. Each round of the playoffs, Divisional, LCS, and World Series would all be best-of-7. Home field advantage in all rounds would be given to the team with the best record.
For those who argue “Wild Cards” are necessary, the division-winning teams could still be seeded #1 - #4, with the four non-division winning teams with the best records claiming the #5 - #8 seeds. The Wild Card round would be best-of-3, but the division winning teams would host all games. If this was done, the divisional round would have to be cut down to a best-of-5 series. The playoffs need to be wrapped up by Halloween. Baseball should not be played in November.
I favor this plan for the following reasons:
The American and National Leagues remain, as they have for over 125 years.
2. It causes minimal disruption, with only Colorado and Tampa Bay needing to switch leagues.
3. It puts great emphasis on playing in, and winning your division.
4. The divisions are aligned as geographically close as possible to create regional interest.
5. For people who like inter-league play, it still allows for it, but is less than 1/3 of a team's schedule.