It comes down to the last three games of the season.

[mostonmike]

MLB should look into doing something like flex games for the last week of the season. Sometime just after the All-star break, the last couple series should be scheduled based on the current standings.

For this year they would have had Astros v Mariners and maybe Mariners v Rangers or a wildcard contender to end the season.

They do try and finish with DIvisional games if at all possible to be fair. This year the Astros finish with 12 DIvisional games. The last series include STL v CHC, ARZ v SD, NYM v MIA, TB v TOR, BAL v NYY, HOU v LAA so plenty of division games that should have had something riding on it when the schedule was set.

Problem is there are 5 teams in each Division - which is a bit of a disaster for scheduling.

[mostonmike]

MLB should look into doing something like flex games for the last week of the season. Sometime just after the All-star break, the last couple series should be scheduled based on the current standings.

For this year they would have had Astros v Mariners and maybe Mariners v Rangers or a wildcard contender to end the season.

You could flex if they are broadcasted or not, changing the schedule?

I'm thinking there's no schedule set for the last week. It gets released after all star break.
Not like nfl flex for broadcast.

Yeah, I suppose they could hold back 2 divisional series for each team and drop them in for the 2 of the last 3 series of the season. The 5 team division is still a problem though even if you wanted to try doing it.

I still think them old bastards who used to do the schedule with paper and pencil are better than the super computer does. I loved that ESPN documentary they did on them. I think it was a 30-for-30 film?

[Millikin]

They do try and finish with DIvisional games if at all possible to be fair. This year the Astros finish with 12 DIvisional games. The last series include STL v CHC, ARZ v SD, NYM v MIA, TB v TOR, BAL v NYY, HOU v LAA so plenty of division games that should have had something riding on it when the schedule was set.

Problem is there are 5 teams in each Division - which is a bit of a disaster for scheduling.
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mostonmike

Yeah that's a good point, I agree.
Was it last year when the Mariners had everything in their grasp to get to the playoffs, they just needed to do well against division opponents in the last week (Rangers and Astros?) but then failed miserably.

[Donn Beach]

MLB should look into doing something like flex games for the last week of the season. Sometime just after the All-star break, the last couple series should be scheduled based on the current standings.

For this year they would have had Astros v Mariners and maybe Mariners v Rangers or a wildcard contender to end the season.

They do try and finish with DIvisional games if at all possible to be fair. This year the Astros finish with 12 DIvisional games. The last series include STL v CHC, ARZ v SD, NYM v MIA, TB v TOR, BAL v NYY, HOU v LAA so plenty of division games that should have had something riding on it when the schedule was set.

Problem is there are 5 teams in each Division - which is a bit of a disaster for scheduling.

yeah, good point, its taken into account to try and have meaningful matchups.

[Millikin]

Except our season ends with Rockies and Dodgers?
Wtf

In the last month we only have 7 division games

[mostonmike]

Except our season ends with Rockies and Dodgers?
Wtf

In the last month we only have 7 division games

That's because they knew Jerry was so good that we would have 100 wins and not need to have a meaningful couple of series to finish

[Donn Beach]

Except our season ends with Rockies and Dodgers?
Wtf

In the last month we only have 7 division games

that does seem odd, there are rules for how the schedule is set up, requirements for playing certain teams a certain amount of times. You would have to toss that out to adjust the schedule during the season, I don't know how that would work, as well as the availability of venues and whatever, the logistics involved.

[Hy Feiber]

154, 155 and 156 are at Houston. They are all worth 1 Game.

The 6 games you mentioned are worth .5 Game each aren’t they? Does that make each Houston game twice as important as a single game against the Dodgers?

It possibly comes down to the Houston series for me.

One heck of a wind-up, whichever game is more important.

Both teams should be healthier, especially the Astros.

Not a wind-up at all. If you beat the Astros, its not just the fact that you get a W, you are inflicting a L on them - so you gain a game. Whereas, if you beat the Dodgers you get a W but it has no effect on the Astros record. You don't inflict a loss on the Astros by beating the Dodgers do you? They can also win so you only gain half-a-game. Simple math.

For example if we sweep the Astros we go 3-0 and they automatically go 0-3. We gain 3 games on them in the standings. If we sweep the Dodgers and the Astros even go 2-1 vs the Angels then we only gain 1 game on them don't we?

A win against the Astros is worth twice as much in the standings as a win against anyone else. Division games have always been more important, I don't see why teams and possibly fans can't see that.

Of course I understand what you’re saying here, who knows what will happen in Houston, but it could very well hinge on the last three games of the season.

Right?

[AZOldDawg]

I am still of the belief that Jerry got so excited about not having to give up any of his top 10 prospects that he has left us a brick shy in the pen.

[mostonmike]

Of course I understand what you’re saying here, who knows what will happen in Houston, but it could very well hinge on the last three games of the season.

Right?

In that case, i will nod in agreement. It's probably not going to be decided before those last 3.

Unless........ no I have to say it now, unless we sweep the Astros first. We are 5-5 this season. Sweep them and I think those final 3 games will be about whether we get a bye past the WC round instead.

But I didnt even let my mind think that, dear Gods of Baseball. Honest, I didnt.