The Pleasures and Problems of the 2025 MLB Playoffs

The 2025 MLB postseason has captured the attention of baseball fans, bringing forth thrilling drama and prime-time action. With a noticeable increase in viewership, this year's playoffs have been the most engaging since 2010, largely due to a resurgence of starting pitching and an exciting playoff format. However, there are several issues MLB needs to address to enhance the experience for both players and fans.

Good Teams Getting the Short End of the Stick

As the 12-team playoff era continues into its fourth year, seeding remains a contentious issue. The New York Yankees, despite tying for the best record in the American League, entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. Their impressive 94-win season became overshadowed by their struggles against the Toronto Blue Jays.

This situation calls for a potential solution: a re-seeding after the first round. Such a change would better reward regular-season achievements without entirely devaluing divisional standings.

Attendance Troubles: Empty Seats at Crucial Games

While fans are tuning in from their homes, empty stands at playoff games paint a lackluster picture. Key day games in the Wild Card Series and the ALDS showed poor attendance, likely due to weekday scheduling conflicts. The solution lies in better scheduling practices that prioritize prime-time slots for elimination games, enhancing accessibility for fans.

Missing Familiar Voices

Playoff games often bring a change in broadcast teams, leaving fans yearning for the familiar voices of local commentators who understand and connect with the teams and their communities. Ideally, MLB should explore options to provide broadcasts with localized commentary alongside national coverage during the playoffs.

Umpiring Challenges Persist

Umpiring remains another hot-button issue, with the promise of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) arriving in 2026. Until then, inconsistent strike zone calls threaten to spoil crucial moments in the postseason. MLB should ensure that only the top umpires are assigned to playoff games to mitigate these risks.

The Rise of Intentional Walks

Although the overall walk rate in the playoffs has decreased, intentional walks have made an unwanted comeback, disrupting potential offensive excitement. MLB might consider rule changes to discourage intentional walks and make the game more entertaining for fans.

Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

The 2025 MLB playoffs have undoubtedly provided thrilling moments for fans, but addressing these lingering issues could elevate the experience even further. With a few adjustments, MLB can ensure that this postseason becomes a model for future success.