Are The Expanded Playoffs In The MLB Here To Stay?

    

    With COVID-19, the MLB had to make some changes to their schedule and make a few rule changes. It was up for debate coming into the season whether this was going to be good for baseball or not. The league decided to have a shortened season of 60 games and have an expanded playoffs where 16 teams make it. This has never been seen before in baseball. With how successful it was, we might see it stay in the leagues future.

    This 60 game season made a lot of people realize 162 games was too much. We can come to the conclusion that 60 games was too short, so if we can find a medium and keep the expanded playoffs, then maybe we can find a way the season can become the most exciting. No one wants to watch game 125 of the season, even the players would say that 162 games is too much. But, one thing we can agree on is 16 teams playing in October was awesome. It gives more teams the chance to compete for a title. I am a Padres fan, so it was awesome to finally see us in October in over a decade. A lot of other fans can say the same thing. It gives teams like us a chance at the Cinderella story. 

    With baseball being a sport on the downfall, it should be important that the league looks at how popular the new playoff layout was amongst the fans. It made October more packed with games, it made playoffs more exciting. There were more teams to watch, younger players making a difference within a franchise. It brought baseball back together a little bit. Within such a terrible time for the world with the pandemic, baseball was able to keep families busy and happy with watching baseball. I think it should be something to stay for awhile, and the league should really consider keeping it.