Ya gotta earn it

Earlier today, the Florida Marlins announced that they are going to play their regulars against the New York Mets in their season-ending series this weekend. While this might be a shock to some, the most shocking aspect of this story is that it is a story at all. The fact that this was even a question to begin with is the product of the media's preference for only the playoff contenders; in their minds, the other teams do not even breach the realm of consciousness.

Granted, there are some instances where a regular starter would need to sit out or shut it down for the rest of the season, but aside from nagging injuries and trying to get some game experience for young prospects, the regulars should be in there in the games that matter. In fact, teams should revel in the fact that they get to play spoiler and for the teams still in it. The public loves a fall from grace almost as much as they enjoyed watching the ascent, and for a team to be a part of another team's demise could be a satisfying end to what had until that point been a disappointing season. Case in point, the Yankees and their devoted following would like nothing more - now that they are out of the playoff race - than to deny the Red Sox an opportunity to win the division, if it is still a possibility at that point. Sending Boston into postseason play with a sound, crushing defeat would salvage a sliver of the team's dignity.

Teams that are in divisional and wild card races should not feel as if they are entitled to victories over the weaker teams. And those teams and their fans that hope or expect for their opponents to not offer amble resistance or competition should be ashamed that they are satisfied with a cheap win that comes against the second-tier players. Limping listlessly into the playoffs is not nearly as satisfying as rightfully earning a spot through hard fought games and hard earned wins. And taking on and defeating tough competition down the stretch is better preparation for what lies ahead in the postseason.

A baseball season is 162 games long, and teams should be able to field a competitive set of players for every one of them, no matter their postseason outlook. And teams that are destined for something more should earn their way into the playoffs by playing the full slate of games necessary to clinch a spot. Relying on the idea that teams will just roll over for them is the antithesis of what the baseball season and the playoff system is supposed to be.

So, now, a message to all of the playoff-hopeful teams and their fans: You can't just expect to be handed a playoff spot.

Ya gotta earn it.