Why The All-Star Game Shouldn’t Count

-David S.-

Currently, whoever wins the All-Star game gets home field advantage for the World Series.  This is supposed to give players the incentive to play hard to win and make the game entertaining.  Even if it does give the players something to play for,  I don’t think it’s fair for the two teams that make it into the World Series.  This year the AL won the All-Star game 6-3.  Therefore, the AL team in the WS gets home field advantage.  Let’s say that the Minnesota Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals play each other in the World Series this October.  The Twins would get into the playoffs by being a Wild Card team, while the Cards own the best record in all of Major League baseball.  Game Seven would be played at Target Field in Minnesota instead of in St. Louis. It just doesn’t make sense that a team that barely gets into the playoffs gets an advantage over the best team in baseball.  Shouldn’t the team with the higher winning record have home field advantage?  The problem with the All-Star game is that in my example the Cardinals wouldn’t be rightfully rewarded.  So, a fun exhibition game, like the All Star Game, could effect the outcome of a team’s World Series hopes by possibly awarding an “unearned” home field advantage.  Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the All-Star game.  I  just don’t think the Cardinals should be playing Game Seven away from their electric home just because K-Rod pitched a bad inning at the All-Star Game.  Each playoff team should use the regular season as a way to decide their World Series destiny so it’s fully in their control.  The chances, of the Cardinals winning Game Seven at home is much greater than being away.  Most importantly, (according to my theoretical example), I would much rather see the Cardinals lose Game Seven at home with the whole stadium crying…A beautiful site………:)