Pedroia Supports New Playoff System, Says 'It's Going To Be Exciting'
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The new playoff system, which could be announced as early as Friday, has drawn mixed reactions and spurred debate among baseball fans.
The new concept has the support of at least one player, though, as Dustin Pedroia told reporters Friday that he's all for the new system.
"I'm all for getting another team or two teams in the playoffs," Pedroia said. "It's great for the fans, it's great for our sport, it's good for the players. I think it's going to be exciting. It's fun."
LISTEN TO PEDROIA:
Podcast
Under the new proposed system, a wild-card team would be added to each league's playoff. The two wild-card teams would then play in a one-game playoff, with the winner going on to the ALDS and the loser ending its season.
If this were the system last year, the Red Sox would have played the Rays in a one-game playoff, with a trip to the ALDS against Texas on the line. The Braves would have also played a one-game playoff against the Cardinals, with a trip to the NLDS against the Phillies at stake.
"Last year, the last day of the season was tough on us and tough on the Braves, but I think the excitement that it brought the fans in not just two cities but four cities. ... It's fun," Pedroia said.
