What is baseball without a good rivalry? The Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, and Giants could find out if this proposal becomes a reality.
In an article in The Athletic this week, MLB analyst Jim Bowden presented his version of what a realignment would look like with an expansion to 32 teams. The proposal would eliminate the American and National Leagues and opt for regional divisions.
The Cardinals would be in the Southwest Division with the Royals, Astros, and Rangers. The Cubs would be paired with the White Sox, Brewers, and Twins. While the Cubs would stay in the same division as the Brewers, the Cardinals would not have a current division foe in their grouping.
The Cardinals and Astros could rekindle a rivalry as the teams were in the same division before the Astros’ move to the American League in 2013. The Royals are in-state rivals and were opponents in the 1985 World Series. The Cardinals played the Rangers in the 2011 World Series.
The Dodgers would be in the West division, while the Giants would be in the Pacific Coast division. These teams have been rivals dating back to New York; the rivalry grew with the move out West.
For now, this is just speculation from Bowden.
According to Fox2News of St. Louis, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred supports an expansion to 32 teams, per Sports Business Journal and other sources. However, the league hasn’t offered specifics on when or how an increase would happen.
How this ultimately plays out for the Cardinals would depend on which cities MLB chooses to expand. According to the Fox2News report, some cities that MLB may consider for expansion include Charlotte, Nashville, Portland, and Montreal.
While an expansion to Nashville or Charlotte might change things for the Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, or Braves, Portland could have a hand in how things play out in the West for the Mariners, Giants, or Dodgers.
Bowden’s proposal is regionally based and allowed the Red Sox and Yankees to maintain their rivalry. The league must make sure to keep the league’s other rivalries with any expansion.
Generations of fans have looked to specific rivalry series each summer, planning vacations around the games. Fans wouldn’t know what to do in summer without the Yankees and Red Sox, Cards and Cubs, or Dodgers and Giants.
Bowden’s proposal is a shock to the system for fans of baseball rivalries. But expanding to new cities is exciting and could bring in new fans. Maintaining the excitement of life-long fans with their rivalries is just as important.
The commissioner should take note of the reaction to Bowden’s proposal and keep in mind what fans want when he decides to expand the league. An expansion will be hard to mess up if Manfred keeps the fans in mind.