... Or You Could Take the MLB Back to Just Two Divisions

I've been getting a lot of run about my post saying that MLB should lose the divisional format. I still love that idea. But if that is just too revolutionary for you, how about going back to the two division format for each league?

You could just go back to the basics:

NATIONAL LEAGUE

EAST
Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Florida Marlins
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
Washington Nationals

WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
St. Louis Cardinals

I know that breaking up the Cards and Cubs seems iffy ... but they'll still play each other. If you still prefer them to stay in a division together, then just move Cincinnati to the West and St. Louis to the East.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays

WEST
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
Los Angeles Angels
Minnesota Twins
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers

This is essentially the same divisional lineup that we had in the American League prior to the expansion to three divisions. The only change is that the Rays take the Brewers old spot in the East.

In fact, if you wanted to go back to the pre-wildcard era to make up the divisions, the NL could look like this:

EAST
Chicago Cubs
Florida Marlins
Milwaukee Brewers
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals
Washington Nationals

WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
Atlanta Braves
Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants