Baseball is a great game. But, there are some problems with the MLB, and some of them can be esily fixed. And no, I do not mean length of games, that has never been a problem.

The first issue with Major League Baseball is the interleague. I have spewed about this often, so here I go again. The Red Sox play the Cubs, Padres, Brewers, Pirates, Phillies, and Astros in interleague next season. The Rays? They will play the Marlins, Cardinals, Brewers, Nationals, Dodgers, and Astros. They play only two of the teams the Red Sox do. So, when the Red Sox play Phily, the Rays get Washington? Or, vice versa, when the Rays get the Cardinals, the Red Sox get the Pirates? Who makes the interleague schedule? If there is to be interleague, shouldn't a division all play the same teams? Otherwise, it can leave a team with an easier schedule, and those games could lead to a division while the other team is on the outside looking in.

 Also; Why have interleague play? What is the exact point of it? To see other NL teams? I could've understanded this if it were like 1970 or something. Back then, the rules in each league were the same, and you did not get to see NL players that much. In today's world with ESPN and MLB Extra Innings, we can see the NL whenever we want. What is the real point of this? It hurts everyone more than it helps.

Speaking of schedules. I was thinking about this the other day. Why should the Red Sox play Minnesota in only two series all year, both in April, and see Chicago twice, both in September? That's an odd balance of schedule. Every team should play each other the equal amount of time, and throughout the season.

 Something else odd. A team like Texas. They get to play Seattle, Oakland and Anaheim all season long. Where Tampa has to play New York, Boston, and Toronto. Now, I know this is not the case this season, but doesn't a good team like Texas have a better shot of having  better record playing those teams, compared to Tampa? I don't like the fact that the Red Sox face Baltimore and Toronto and all the other AL East teams 18 times. It seems like a bit much, where we see Minnesota only six times? Not a good balance of schedule. I understand you have to face your division more than other teams. I'm fine with that, but maybe reduce it to 14 each and see other AL teams more. And I want a real balance of schdule. Why should the Red Sox go out to Seattle twice and play them at Fenway once? I think there should be two home and away series vs each AL team.

I wrote an article at Pinstripe Alley the other day about changing the playoffs. I still have the same mindset, but it has changed slightly. There I wrote I wanted to see six playoff teams. I have now reduced that to five. Here is what I think should happen.

 There should be two wild cards, and not just second place teams. The two best teams that did not win their division. They play a five game series. The winner of that goes to reguler playoff format. This adds more excitment and more ticket sales for the MLB, when a team that should be out of it is actully fighting for a spot. I also think, screw divisions. Why not go back to like it was? Just the AL and NL. The top five teams in each league make it. Cause look at this; A team like Tampa Bay or New York are going to be a wild card. They each have the best record s in baseball. One of them will not have homefield in the playoffs. How fair is that? Why should Texas be rewarded for winning a crappy division. Why not New York, with the second best record in baseball?