The climactic conclusion of the baseball season is upon us, and part of me revels in the spectacle of the postseason. There are few things more exciting than a late-season clash, and, of course, a postseason series.

My problem this year, as with many years past, is simple: This looks exactly the same as last year. It may turn out differently, or, God forbid, the same. It seems as though we are right back where we were last year, however, and I think that’s too bad.

The usual suspects: Atlanta wastes its 1,000th consecutive National League East title by losing in the first round to whatever team they play. Fans in Philadelphia and Montreal/Washington mourn for the lost playoff spot. The Cardinals dominate the lopsided NL Central and enjoy homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The wily Astros prove too much for a hard charge by the Phillies and sneak into the Wild Card.

Does this sound familiar? It should – it happened last year. The only newcomer to the NL playoffs are the useless, no-account Fathers, and forgive my cynicism, but I don’t see San Diego making much of a splash this October.

Oh, but at least the fans of parity have the American League! Oh, wait. The big-money Yankees buy their ticket to the playoffs yet again, and the big-money Red Sox buy the Wild Card. The big-money (although significantly more likable) Angels win the West.

Does that sound familiar? Yeah, you guessed it – it happened last year. But let’s not forget the AL Central’s sacrificial lamb, those upstart Chicago White Sox. With Ozzie Guillen at the helm, I anticipate an awe-inspiring three games from Chicago before they go back whence they came. Much like the Twins before them, this team is simply not built to win when facing the Red Sox.

I can’t be the only person who is bothered by this. Every year, the same three AL teams have their arms race to see who can win the pennant, the Braves waste a playoff spot and I become a little less interested in Major League Baseball. I don’t know if a salary cap is the solution, but in the interest of fans in Pittsburgh, Oakland, Washington, Tampa Bay or Kansas City, something needs to change, before baseball becomes a six-team league with a 24-team farm system.

Surely, many would point to the Marlins’ 2003 World Series win as proof the system works, but that was the exception much more than the rule.

I would suggest the following solutions: First, create a hard salary cap and floor. For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, that is the format the National Hockey League has gone to, and it looks as though this season is going to be much more exciting for many more fans than in the past. If you look at how the National Football League has become so dominantly successful during the past ten years, look no further than the salary cap.

Second, shorten the season. Teams play too many games to have their seasons crumble the final weekend of the season. I don’t think anyone can say with a straight face the Padres belong in the playoffs more than the Phillies, Indians or A’s.

There are several problems with baseball today. Some are easily fixed and others aren’t, but it would serve baseball’s interest to fix these problems and watch fans come back in droves.

– Nathan Chiaravalloti is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Davenport.