MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said that he is looking into an expanded playoff format in the future. Not necessarily the 16 teams that the league has this year, up from 10, but somewhere in between. “I like the idea of, and I’m choosing my words carefully here, an expanded playoff format,” Manfred said. “I don’t think we would do 16 like we did this year. I think we do have to be cognizant of making sure that we preserve the importance of our regular season. But I think something beyond the 10 that we were at would be a good change.”
It does need to be noted that this is not just Manfred’s decision. In order to change the playoff format going forward, the league would need the MLB’s approval.
Another rule change made during this COVID season has been the extra-innings rule where each team batting starts with a runner on second in order to make games go quicker. That has been met with mixed feelings from fans and players alike, but Manfred said that he intends to get that change into the rulebook. “I think the players like it,” Manfred said. “I think it’s really good from a safety and health perspective that keeps us from putting players in situations where they’re out there too long or in positions they’re not used to playing.”
All of these things need to be ironed out this upcoming offseason, and knowing the MLB nothing will actually get done, but this could bring some form of new excitement that could help a sport that is slowly dwindling in the ratings.
