2010 NHL playoff central
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}1 Capitals vs. 8 Canadiens Series tied 0-0 Game 1: at Capitals, April 15, 7 p.m. Spector's preview Game 2: at Capitals, April 17, 7 p.m. Game 3: at Canadiens, April 19, 7 p.m. Game 4: at Canadiens, April 21, 7 p.m. Game 5*: at Capitals, April 23, 7 p.m. Game 6*: at Canadiens, April 26, 7 p.m. Game 7*: at Capitals, April 28, TBD RADICAL REALIGNMENT The current leagues and divisions are completely torn up, with geographic rivalries receiving a greater emphasis. Each league would include 15 teams. AL Atlantic AL Great Lakes AL Pacific NL East NL Midwest NL Southwest Mets Twins Dodgers Red Sox Cubs Diamondbacks Yankees Pirates Angels Phillies Cardinals Rockies Blue Jays Indians Athletics Braves White Sox Rangers Orioles Tigers Giants Marlins Brewers Astros Nationals Reds Mariners Rays Royals Padres Advantages:
- The best of the inter-league series (the regional and intra-city rivalries) would become a staple of the regular season.
- The idea of playing an inter-league series at all times would be less offensive; the old league boundaries would be gone.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}- The Red Sox and Yankees would be split, with each inheriting a new high-revenue division rival: the Phillies would play in the Red Sox's division, the Mets in the Yankees'.
Disadvantages
- The historic integrity of the leagues would be lost.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}-Combining teams from both leagues would require MLB to either use the designated hitter for all 30 clubs or abandon it completely.
- The All-Star Game would carry less meaning and likely would need to be restructured.
- The two Florida teams would remain at a competitive disadvantage, playing in the same division as the Red Sox and Phillies. REVENUE REALIGNMENT Teams are grouped in greater accordance to their revenues and geographic considerations. The National League still would include 16 teams. AL Money AL Budget AL Southeast NL Great Lakes NL West NL Southwest Yankees Blue Jays Braves Cubs Dodgers Diamondbacks Mets Pirates Nationals White Sox Angels Rockies Red Sox Royals Orioles Cardinals Mariners Rangers Phillies Reds Marlins Tigers Giants Astros New Jersey A's Indians Rays Twins Padres Brewers Advantages:
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}- Most low-revenue teams would stand a greater chance of reaching the postseason.
- The big-money teams in the northeast would fight it out with one another.
- New York would gain a third team, cutting into the economic might of the Yankees and Mets.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Disadvantages
- The historic integrity of the leagues would be lost.
- Several low-revenue teams still would play in the same division as high-revenue clubs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}- The postseason would be less appealing with poor teams facing the rich.
- Combining teams from both leagues would require MLB to either use the designated hitter for all 30 clubs or abandon it completely. fs.launchInlineFlash("#fs-table"); .fs-table { float: right; width: 100%; /*width: 100%;*/ background-color: #ffffff; border-top: 1px solid #bac0c4; } .fs-table h2 { /*background-color: yellow;*/ } .fs-table .fs-accent { width: 100%; /*width:100%;*/ /*background-color: orange;*/ } .fs-table table th { background-color: #dedede; /*background-color: #ffffff;*/ }