In recent years, the TV networks (Fox, TBS) have mandated that all series begin on predetermined dates, with no flexibility allowed based on the actual completion dates of previous series. This allows them to have greater predictability of programming, and also to maximize the number of games that fall on weekends (for the ratings). So if both Division Series end in sweeps, it's altogether possible that there could be a wait of as many as five whole days for both teams before the next series began (this in fact happened last year, as the Angels and Yankees both sad idle for nearly a week after their first-round sweeps).
It didn't used to be like this. As recently as 2005, there was little to no break between series. After defeating the Yankees in an ALDS Game 5 on October 10th (a Monday), the Angels were forced to fly from Anaheim to Chicago to begin their ALCS series against the White Sox the very next night. The Angels won the game, but lost the series, as the White Sox went on to win the World Series.
There were very good reasons for the old system to operate the way it did, and TV's influence has completely changed the competitive dynamics at play on baseball's biggest stage. During the regular season, no team ever has multiple scheduled days off in a row, from April straight through until October. The only two-day break for any team is the All-Star Break, when baseball still takes place, albeit only by the star players (and not their whole teams). It's therefore bizarre at best to install a forced multiple day break at the most important point of the season.
Furthermore, the benefit to finishing up a series quickly has now vanished as a result of TV's influence. In the case of the 2005 ALCS, the White Sox EARNED their days of rest by sweeping the defending champion Red Sox in three straight (damn them). The Angels needed the full five games to defeat the Yankees, and therefore earned no time off. They entered the ALCS with zero rest, a tired pitching staff, and (not surprisingly) lost the series.
This year, the Rangers will face no such penalty, and in fact benefit from the new setup. With a mandated two days of rest before their series begins, ace pitcher Cliff Lee will be able to pitch as soon as Game 2, and could potentially pitch 3 times if the series goes 7. If the ALCS began today (or even Thursday), there's absolutely no way Lee could pitch until Game 3, and he couldn't dream of pitching three times (at least not without some help from the rainout gods). That's the penalty the Rangers SHOULD face for having to use him in last night's deciding Game 5.
But TV doesn't want it to be that way, and Major League Baseball is more than happy to sacrifice competitive integrity for the benefit of their TV partners. It's a clear example of a business allowing the tail to wag the dog. Yes, TV and its revenues are absolutely responsible for the growth and reach of baseball in recent years. But once it starts to impact the product on the field, we've clearly got things backwards.
Don't get me wrong, I have a hard time arguing with any change that hurts the Yankees' chances of winning the World Series (as this two-day break clearly does). And I also recognize that similar scheduling issues definitely helped my Red Sox win the 2007 World Series with ease. That year, the red-hot Rockies were forced to take a 9-day break between their NLCS sweep of the Diamondbacks and Game 1 of the World Series. Their momentum shot, they came out for the World Series rusty and lethargic, and the Red Sox cruised.
But just because I've benefited from policies (as a Red Sox fan) doesn't mean that I support them (as a baseball fan). Competitive integrity is the cornerstone of all professional sports, and leagues must think twice before allowing TV pressures to compromise them.
Go Rangers.
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