"Now we're talking about the the race to finish in one of three positions in the standings, none of which represent the top of any defined group of teams. I suppose the most accurate term is "Wild Card chase" but that term is (a) lame as hell, and (b) not even necesarily accurate vis a vis the Guardians and Tigers, who are still competing for the division. What the hell, man."
"But what isn't great is that there are no meaningful baseball games on the schedule today! Milwaukee and San Diego play each other, and while that's a fun matchup in general, both teams are comfortably in the playoffs. The other two games feature four teams that are all comfortably out. Oh well, I guess we can just sit around and be stressed today."
Playoff expansion has diluted the original meaning of 'pennant chase' by separating regular-season first-place standings from postseason league championships. The phrase 'win the pennant' once meant taking an entire league, while 'pennant chase' meant competing for first place. Expanding playoffs created multiple qualifying spots, so the race now often concerns one of several positions rather than a single topped league title. 'Wild Card chase' is technically more precise but culturally awkward and sometimes inaccurate for teams still vying for divisions. Many current games lack meaningful stakes because some teams are secure in or out of postseason contention.
Read at Over the Monster
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