2010 REGULAR SEASON FINAL STANDINGS
Code:
Eastern Division W L PCT GB
Philadelphia Quakers 110 52 .679 -
New York Rens 102 60 .630 8.0
Pennsylvania Colonials 96 66 .593 14.0
Brooklyn Cyclones 83 79 .512 27.0
Baltimore Orioles 78 84 .481 32.0
New York Mets 74 88 .457 36.0
Boston Yankees 72 90 .444 38.0
Washington Nationals 66 96 .407 44.0
Central Division W L PCT GB
Detroit Tigers 93 69 .574 -
Chicago Comets 82 80 .506 11.0
Columbus Clippers 82 80 .506 11.0
Chicago Cubs 78 84 .481 15.0
St. Louis Cardinals 75 87 .463 18.0
Toronto Blue Jays 74 88 .457 19.0
Milwaukee Braves 65 97 .401 28.0
Pittsburgh Pirates 65 97 .401 28.0
Western Division W L PCT GB
Colorado Rockies 97 65 .599 -
Los Angeles Dodgers 91 74 .552 7.5
San Jose Captains 83 79 .512 14.0
Seattle Mariners 80 82 .494 17.0
Nevada Silverhawks 76 86 .469 21.0
San Diego Padres 72 90 .444 25.0
Los Angeles Angels 71 91 .438 26.0
San Francisco Giants 66 96 .407 31.0
Southern Division W L PCT GB
Florida Marlins 99 63 .611 -
Kansas City Royals 94 71 .570 6.5
Atlanta Athletics 92 73 .558 8.5
Cincinnati Reds 91 74 .552 9.5
San Antonio Aviators 78 84 .481 21.0
Houston Astros 73 89 .451 26.0
Arizona Diamondbacks 71 91 .438 28.0
Texas Rangers 69 93 .426 30.0
WILD CARD WEEK, NOT SO WILD
Well, one of the things I didn't consider about Wild Card Week was evidenced this season.
There will be years that none of the teams beyond the 8th playoff spot (or 4th wild card) will be
within striking distance to claim a spot in the playoffs by playing extra games.
In some years, like last year, there were no less than four teams within striking distance and so, all of the
teams that year would've played in Wild Card week. In years when the teams have won enough games to avoid that
they just simply don't have to participate. This year, the only four teams that participated were
Kansas City -- who was in the 7th seed, Atlanta and Cincinnati who were tied for the 8th spot and Los Angeles, who needed
to sweep the Royals and get help to get into the playoffs as the 8th seed.
In the end, Atlanta took 2 out of 3 from the Reds -- who they'd won the season series against -- and the Royals took
2 of 3 from the Royals. This was reduced from the original 5 games that were scheduled.
MLB officials are not sure the experiment will gain enough traction to happen again next season. It just causes too many
issues. "They're afraid of a scenario in which a Wild Card team wins enough games to win a close division according to the winning
percentage."
But the original premise -- trying to expand the playoffs -- is a concern that's important to MLB officials, because the regional nature
of the sport means that once teams lose the division, fans are less likely to follow the games.
"We play a long regular season. A win in baseball is almost twice as important as a win in another sport, because of the magnitude of our schedule," said an MLB spokesman.
The 162-game schedule and four division setup has been the same since 1969 when MLB reformed to its current setup. A change might be in order.
"We'll evaluate it and see what's best for the game now and in the future."