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For many years, the MLB featured a one game run-off between two Wild Card teams to seed a team for the Divisional Series. However, owing to a change two years ago, that's no longer the case.
In 2022, MLB changed the rules to allow for one additional Wild Card team from each league. A Wild Card is a team that has not clinched their division but has finished within the top six in their league.
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"Since the implementation of MLB's expanded Wild Card format, 86 wins has been the average number to get a team into the postseason. Here's how the Mets would have to finish the second half to hit that benchmark (plus a look at the 90-win mark)" - SNY Mets
Owing to the additional Wild Card slot, six teams from each league now make the playoffs - three divisional winners and three Wild Card teams. Last year, the Texas Rangers, who made it into the postseason as the AL's second Wild Card made it all the way to the World Series, which they would eventually win.
The ordering of MLB Wild Card teams has implications regarding who they face in the first round of the postseason. Per the league's regulations, the first-seeded Wild Card competes in a best-of-three set against the second seeded, while the last-seeded Wild Card enters into a duel with the last-placed divisional winner.
That was evidenced in 2023, when the Blue Jays, who made the last Wild Card berth, played the Minnesota Twins, who won the AL Central.
"MLB postseason begins Oct.1: Here is the wild card and division series schedule" - Bob Nightengale
After the Wild Card series, the winner of 4 vs 5 matchup is seeded against the highest-ranked divisional winner in each league. Meanwhile, the winner of 3 vs 6 faces the second seeded division winner.
MLB's decision to feature three-game set remains controversial
In addition to adding another Wild Card team in 2022, the league also decided that a three-game series would be used.
Previously, Wild Card teams competed in a winner-take-all one game series. As former New York Mets star Curtis Granderson told the New York Times of the old model in 2021:
“Is it fair? No, it’s not fair, is it fun? Absolutely.”
As the league gets as competitive as ever, many celebrate the new format. However, only time will tell if this format will stick around for the long-term.
