The World Sequence might finish in November this yr. Main League Baseball can do with out all of the “Mr. November” jokes, so the league took a artistic step final yr: a versatile begin date for the World Sequence.
It’s not straightforward to cram a four-round postseason in a month. However it’s even much less preferrred if the World Sequence groups roll by means of the league championship collection, then sit round for near per week earlier than the World Sequence begins.
MLB unveiled this artistic reform final yr: If each World Sequence groups full the league championship collection in not more than 5 video games, the beginning of the World Sequence would transfer up three days. Nothing kills curiosity in an on a regular basis sport like per week off earlier than crucial video games of the season.
The reform didn’t come into play final season. Though the New York Yankees gained the American League Championship Sequence in 5 video games, the Dodgers wanted six video games to finish the NLCS.
When MLB introduced its postseason schedule Tuesday, the versatile begin date for the World Sequence was gone. With the Dodgers coming inside one victory of constructing that occur final season, league officers and tv companions had the prospect to arrange for 2 prospects for the beginning of the World Sequence. The uncertainty of what date to advertise, and the necessity for alternate journey plans and resort blocks, left the events with the thought {that a} mounted date for the World Sequence remained a greater plan.
The World Sequence this yr is about to start out on Friday, Oct. 24, with a potential Sport 7 on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The wild-card spherical begins Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the division collection spherical beginning Saturday, Oct. 4. The groups with the highest two information in every league earn a bye within the first spherical and advance on to the division collection.
If the postseason began Tuesday, the Dodgers (68-51) could be the No. 3 seed within the NL, behind the Milwaukee Brewers (74-44) and the Philadelphia Phillies (69-49). The wild card groups, so as of seed, could be the Chicago Cubs (67-50), San Diego Padres (67-52) and the New York Mets (63-55).
In that state of affairs, the Dodgers and Mets — the NLCS combatants final season — would meet within the wild-card spherical this season.
