It is true that MLB is milking the playoffs for more games and more revenue. But I can't agree with the author that those extra three or five games, or whatever it might be, are to blame for some players' lackluster post-season performances.
MLB switched to a 162-game season in the early 1960s. That's the most of any major sport by far and its longstanding. Teams are usually very careful not to push their stars too hard because they know that asking them to "go hard" with little time off may very well hinder them by the time the playoffs roll around.
I'm not suggesting that baseball treats everyone with kid gloves. Not at all. Pitchers, in particular, are under an expectation to throw harder and harder. The number of them reaching or surpassing 100 MPH is growing. But so too are Tommy John surgeries and other operations to repair ligaments and tendons.
As for the playoffs, in my opinion, it's more a matter of some players thriving when the spotlight is the brightest while others wilt under that sort of pressure. That's always been the case. It adds another layer of drama it all.
Perhaps the author didn't like what he saw from some of his favorite players and was offering a bit of cover for them. But the number of hurdles to clear to reach the World Series is the same for all of these athletes. Some will shine, some will disappoint. It's the nature of sports.
What are your thoughts?
= new reply since forum marked as read