Game 163

[Mark Pattison]

If the Tigers and White Sox tie after 162 games, there will be a Game 163, much to the chagrin of MLB, which is operating on a tight time schedule to squeeze in the postseason along the parameters it established with the TV networks.

 

And heaven help them all if there is a three-way tie for a wild-card spot.

 

Mark Pattison

 

[John Black]

Thank you for that answer Mark.  I have no idea how many layers of plans they actually have for the various possibilities, but it does occur to me that if we had the Det/Chi tie, they might be able to effect a bit of time compression and play that game on the same day as the AL 1-game Wild Card affair. The winner of the Det/Chi game would be the Central Division champ and fit into the ALDS playoff round in whatever spot that might be. The loser of the Det/Chi game would, most likely, simply be *done*. I think *both* the Eastern and Western Divisions could have *multiple* candidates for that Wild Card game (out of New York, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Texas, Oakland, and Los Angeles), which could make both the White Sox and Tigers irrelevant to that game.

[Paul Meloche]

Detroit has already clinched the season series against Chicago.  Would the Tigers host a one-game playoff if the division came down to that?

Paul M.

[John Black]

That would certainly follow the logic that was applied a couple-three back for the game 163 in Mpls. With all the new stuff that Selig-and-crew has tossed in for this (and particularly next) year, who knows what "rules" apply now?  I was most surprised when I read Mark's earlier post that said there would be a game 163.