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Red Sox: What Red Sox fans can expect from a possible realignment

By Sean Mccarthy

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: A scorekeeper looks on from inside the Green Monster before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: A scorekeeper looks on from inside the Green Monster before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MLB wants to have 32 teams because it will make scheduling and travel easier. Changes will be made, here’s what Red Sox fans can possibly expect.

Jayson Stark of The Athletic proposed radical changes that can alter the landscape of the MLB. The future could consist of 32 teams that will combine to make eight divisions. The divisions will be based on a geographical landscape to cut down on travel. One possibility would be to do away with the two different leagues and just have eight divisions. The second possibility would be four divisions in each league. The regular season will be shortened and playoffs will be expanded. In order for these changes to become a reality, 32 teams are needed, which won’t be for a few more years.

Hypothetically if one of these new formats were chosen, here’s what to expect for the Red Sox. Let’s begin with the first idea presented, to eliminate both the American and National league. The Red Sox would be placed in a division with the Blue Jays, Phillies, and Pirates. Regular season games would be cut down to 156 games. It would be interesting to see how many games they would play against each other.

What to expect as a fan:

This is not a great division to watch from a fan’s perspective. The Blue Jays are heading towards a rebuild and the Pirates are a mediocre team who will be around .500 for the foreseeable future. The Phillies would bring excitement to Fenway for a series because they are an up and coming team. This division is weak and it almost reminds me of the current AL East. You have two dominant teams, while the rest of the division is resembling minor leauge teams.

The second possibility for a realignment would be to have four divisions in each league. The Red Sox would be in a division with current AL East foes minus the Rays. This is the best possibility to watch from a fans perspective. You still get to see Red Sox versus Yankees throughout the year. And you can still watch the Red Sox beat up on the Jays and Orioles.

Fans still want to see the rivalries between division opponents. Red Sox-Yankees speaks for itself. There is so much history between the two clubs it would be disappointing if they were in separate divisions. Many baseball fans would agree that they need to be in the same division for the good of the game.

Next: A Sox fan goes sleepless in Seattle.

These ideas are interesting and radical and as a result, many fans of tradition would not like to see this happen. MLB is open to changing the landscape of the game since numbers are dwindling. Let us know what the MLB needs to change or not change in the comment section.

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