MLB, best parity in sports?

September 22, 2011   Atlanta Braves, Blog Smash, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detriot Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, MLB SMASH, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers   1 Comment
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This year MLB has seemingly taken a back seat to the NFL and NBA due to the massive amount of hysteria and confusion over both lockouts.  Perhaps in the midst of all this mayhem major leaguers have taken some offense.  The 2011 MLB season, to be specific, represents one of the most evenly matched seasons in any major sport over the last decade.

As of today, September 22, the overall best records in the league belong to both Eastern divisions through the Yankees and the Phillies. Both the National League and the American League Wild Card leading teams, the Braves and the Red Sox have the exact same record at 88-68. Had the Cardinals lost last night the runner ups in both leagues would have the exact same records as well.

Some would say that this season is not a parity, but a run away in all of the division races, and nobody can argue that it isn’t.  However the true mark of a good league is measured by its middle teams and the level of play that they display.  We have seen the Pirates give everyone a run for their money, the Diamondbacks come from nowhere and the Brewers start to pull away with the NL Central.

Of the 6 division races this year, exactly 3 of them were predictable and 3 of them were surprises.  The Yankees, Phillies and Rangers were obvious, though not locks of course.  The Diamondbacks, Brewers and even the Tigers were not seen in the preseason by many, if anyone at all.  Those three teams were supposed to be won by the Giants, Cardinals and White Sox.

For a sport that has all but been forgotten in a world full of negative news surrounding sport, it sure has been a fun season in 2011 and the playoffs should be even better.

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