MLB "sweats its postseason schedule, providing ample travel days to keep the players as fresh and sharp as possible," but now it must "find a way to improve the regular-season travel schedule for West Coast teams," according to Jim Caple of ESPN.com. The Dodgers "just completed their fourth trip to the East Coast to play against NL East opponents," which was their "fifth overall cross-country trip." Meanwhile, the A's are at the "tail end of their fourth trip to the East Coast ... and next month, they will make their fifth trip to the state of Texas." The Mariners, likewise, have "four trips to the East Coast and five trips to Texas this season." The Angels have "four trips to the East Coast and SIX trips to Texas on their schedule." Mariners President & CEO Chuck Armstrong said, "The American League West always seems to come out with on the wrong end." MLB Senior VP/Club Relations & Scheduling Katy Feeney said, "As much as we would like to try and accommodate everyone with all their wishes, they often are in conflict with each other." Mariners SS Brendan Ryan: "It's something you can never figure out mathematically in black and white (terms), but it definitely is a disadvantage. If you're arguing otherwise, then you're not being fair." Caple wrote the travel disparity "might be worse next year," so MLB "needs to work harder to make the travel schedules more equitable" (ESPN.com, 8/28).
