MLB wants to let playoff teams PICK THEIR OPPONENTS and I absolutely LOVE this idea! You could create an entirely new rivalry in one afternoon.
Under MLB’s latest proposal, starting in 2027, the No. 3 seed would choose between the No. 5 and 6 seeds in the Wild Card round, while the No. 1 seed would get to pick its Division Series opponent.
Do you realize how much trouble this could start?.. Imagine the Yankees publicly choosing the Red Sox and then getting bounced by the team THEY PICKED. Boston fans would bring that up for the next 50 years!
You can say it’s about pitching matchups, injuries, or which lineup you think you can beat. And maybe it is! But when you’re the team being picked, all you’re hearing is “we think you’re easier to beat.”
Even two teams with absolutely ZERO history could suddenly hate each other. You’ve spent six months fighting to make the playoffs, and now another team is basically announcing to the entire world that they’d rather play you than somebody else. HAHAHA good luck telling that clubhouse it’s nothing personal!
MLB also proposed cutting the regular season from 162 to 154 games and expanding the Division Series to seven games, both starting in 2029. Those are interesting conversations too, although none of this has been agreed to yet.
But the opponent selection? I LOVE IT. Baseball already has some incredible rivalries, and this could create a whole bunch more.
Imagine handpicking the team that ends your season.. good luck living THAT down.
