I could look at my schedule and figure this out in less than 10 minutes, but I'm sure somebody else has already done the math for me.

Does hardball dynasty use an unbalanced schedule where you play teams in your division more often than other teams in your league?

It feels like its not. I feel like I play all the teams equal number of games per season (not counting interleague play).

its not...you play every team in your league 10x for 150 games and then you play a diff division each season from the other league in 4 3 game series for the remaining 12 games...

Thank you, that's what I was thinking. I wish MLB would get rid of the unbalanced schedule. I get sick of seeing the White Sox play the teams in their division so often.

yeah it is so much more fun when you are in a tight division race to be playing the team you are competing with less.

I much prefer variety. If I had my way the Brewers would be back in the AL Central, the Royals would play in the AL West (equal number of teams in every division), and every AL team would have one 3-game series with every NL team, which would alternate home and away from one season to the next. Then, every AL and NL team would play teams in their own league the same number of times regardless of division.

The current system is so unfair. If you are competing against a certain team within your division then you should have the same schedule. As it is now, the stupid "geographical rivalry" gives some teams very unfair advantages. For example, the Cubs and Cardinals is probably the second best rivalry in MLB. The Cubs play 6 games every year vs the White Sox, historically an above average team. The Cardinals play 6 games every year vs the Royals, historically one of the worst teams in all of baseball.

Advantage: Cardinals.

While we're at it, let's make the rules the same in both leagues too. Either force the NL to use the DH or else get rid of it in the AL. What kind of Mickey Mouse league is this that different leagues use different rules?

On the rivalries I completely agree with you. It may be fun for NY fans and Chicago fans maybe even Bay area fans but frankly it is stupid for everybody else. I also agree that there should be 6 5 team divisions.

On the unbalanced schedule I think you should have to beat the people in your division to win your division. The unbalanced schedule is not the only thing that causes different schedules. You could go to 160 games and still have an unbalanced schedule.

On the DH I kind of like the fact it is different. AL fans get the chance to see more swing from the heels and NL fans get to see more stratagey of move, counter move. Problem with making it the same is most NL fans would go apeshit if they put in the DH. Not sure how AL fans would feel about getting rid of it. I guess I feel it gives each league it's own flavor or uniqueness.

I like some of your points. The bottom line is that as a fan who watches a lot of baseball games on TV (and I'm a White Sox fan), I start to get bored in August when the Sox are playing the Tigers for the 15th time this season. It'd be cool to see more of the Rangers, Blue Jays, and Mariners, let alone a series every year with the Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, and Marlins.

I don't think the Player's Association would agree to get rid of the DH because they'd view it as costing some players their jobs. Personally I hate the NL and seeing a pitcher bunt with a runner on second and 1 out; so I'd love to see the DH in both leagues, but I'd settle for getting rid of it so long as it was fair for everybody.

You are right about the players association no being willing to give it up. Maybe if they went to 26 guys on a roster in both leagues but probably not even then cause that extra 30 guys would not make as much as the DH's

As far as more interleague games. I think I just threwup a little thinking about it.

I somewhat understand the initial reasoning for starting interleague play, although I totally disagree with it. The only interleague play should be the 7-game series at the end of the season. I might be willing to make an exception for the mid-season exhibition too, although I think it's dumb to give the winner of an exhibition the HFA during a Championship. Especially when the teams involved only have, at most, 5-6 players on the exhibition team.

I like interleague play for all the reasons mentined. Mostly just out of boredom. There's only so many Twins/Tigers/Indians/Royals games I have in me. I need some variety to keep me interested.

I'd like interleague play even more if the rules were the same for both leagues.

Saving the climax for the World SEries doesn't do much for me. The NFL, NBA, and NHL all have interleague play. Nobody complains that the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup are spoiled because the two teams already played each other earlier in the season.

The biggest problem with unbalanced schedule is its an advantage to teams who play in a weaker division in the WC race. Teams like Toronto who have to play Boston, New York and now even Tampa more then they play the Royals and As are at a disadvantage over teams like Chicago who get to play Cle and KC more...

Quote: Originally Posted By oriolemagic on 12/06/2009The biggest problem with unbalanced schedule is its an advantage to teams who play in a weaker division in the WC race. Teams like Toronto who have to play Boston, New York and now even Tampa more then they play the Royals and As are at a disadvantage over teams like Chicago who get to play Cle and KC more...

I'm sure both Blue Jays fans feel the same way.