Playoff baseball just got a little more exciting. Yesterday, the MLB and Players Union agreed to expand the postseason from an eight team format to 10 teams. Beginning this year, there will be an additional wild-card team in each league. This second wild-card does not have to come in second place in their division to be eligible. You just need the next best winning percentage. Three teams from the same division can now make the playoffs. Through this system, the two wild-card teams will play a one-game playoff in order for the right to play in the divisional series.
I think that this is the best thing that the MLB has done. In the past, one-game playoffs have been some of the most intense games in MLB history. Imagine having a whole 162 game season come down to playing one more game.
This one game also gives the division winners a huge advantage against the winning wild-card team. First, the division winner has had at least one day of rest. Second, they still have their number 1 pitcher ready to go! The wild-card team had to burn theirs just to get to this round.
This new system puts a whole new emphasis on winning the division. Now, when it seems like the AL East has two (or three) playoff teams, the race is still going to be important. The MLB has now ensured that all teams will play their butts off right to the end.
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