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Should MLB Cut Postseason off Days to Test Team Pitching Depth?
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- Should MLB Cut Postseason off Days to Test Team Pitching Depth?
Tommy Pham wants Major League Baseball to reduce the number of off days during the postseason, arguing that the current schedule allows teams to get by with smaller pitching staffs. The 13-year MLB veteran shared his opinion on X on Sunday, October 18, proposing a change that would force managers to use their pitchers differently throughout October.
"I would like less off days in the postseason," Pham wrote. He argued that teams can operate with roughly nine or 10 pitchers because of the extended breaks between playoff games.
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Pham added that fewer off days would force teams to utilize their entire pitching staffs differently. He also noted that he has advocated for the change for years.
The proposal comes as MLB's championship series highlight the importance of pitching depth and workload management. The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series to secure their place in the World Series, while the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians entered Sunday tied 2-2 in the American League Championship Series.
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The current postseason format includes scheduled rest days between certain games, giving teams opportunities to reset their rotations and bullpen usage. Pham believes reducing those breaks would change how managers distribute innings and could require greater contributions from pitchers who might otherwise see limited postseason action.
Former Chicago White Sox designated hitter Tommy Pham (21)David Dermer-Imagn Images
Under the current format, teams can lean heavily on their top starters and high-leverage relievers while using off days to manage workloads. A tighter schedule could make it more difficult to repeatedly rely on the same arms, although the actual impact would depend on the revised schedule and each team's pitching depth.
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Pham's argument centers on how teams construct and use their postseason pitching staffs rather than simply shortening the playoffs. His proposed change would challenge managers to find more innings across their rosters instead of relying on a smaller group of trusted arms.
MLB has not announced a change to its postseason schedule in response to Pham's comments. The World Series is scheduled to begin Friday, October 23, with Milwaukee set to face the winner of the American League Championship Series.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
