Expanded Playoffs are a "go"

[Perfect Zero]

Per Ken Rosenthal:

Quote: Originally Posted by Rosenthal's twitter

Sources: Additional wild cards a "go" for this season. Playoffs to expand from eight to 10 teams. Announcement tomorrow. #MLB

I have heard that this will be a one off elimination game, and that divisional teams can now play each other in the first round if they are seeded that way.

Personally, I don't mind it if it means that there is only one game for a wild card birth. It actually makes it worthwhile to win the division outright, and there can now be some justification for a "wild card champion."

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perfect Zero

Per Ken Rosenthal: I have heard that this will be a one off elimination game, and that divisional teams can now play each other in the first round if they are seeded that way. Personally, I don't mind it if it means that there is only one game for a wild card birth. It actually makes it worthwhile to win the division outright, and there can now be some justification for a "wild card champion."

I agree. I know many don't like this new setup, but I think it's going to be great. I can't wait to watch those one-game showdowns.
When they first expanded the playoffs, a lot of people were skeptical but now everyone loves them. I think we need to give this format a chance too.
The more baseball the better.

[areobee401]

Makes winning the pennant mean something and one game playoffs have a history of being great games. I'm glad they finally gave this idea the green light.

[Perfect Zero]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

When they first expanded the playoffs, a lot of people were skeptical but now everyone loves them. I think we need to give this format a chance too. The more baseball the better.

I think that the animosity to it comes from people that don't want to see half of Baseball in the playoffs. I don't want to see that either; the NHL and NBA playoffs are jokes. However, for one extra game that makes it much more important to win the division; I'm for that.

[DrJones]

I'm curious about the following:

1. Will game 163's (one-game playoffs) still be played for teams tied atop a division?

2. What happens if 2 teams are tied for the 2nd WC spot? Is there a Game 163 to get into the WC1 vs WC2 game, or are tiebreakers (H2H) used?

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perfect Zero

I think that the animosity to it comes from people that don't want to see half of Baseball in the playoffs. I don't want to see that either; the NHL and NBA playoffs are jokes. However, for one extra game that makes it much more important to win the division; I'm for that.

Couldn't agree more.
I'm a hockey fan, but I dislike how more than half the league gets into the playoffs.
And because hockey has turned into pinball on ice, luck has a much larger role in who wins the Cup compared to skill.
MLB and NFL have a great system. The best teams almost always win.

[rdub78]

Dont mind this, but to add this a month before the season is just pathetic.

This should have been made official either months ago, or implemented next season.

[55]

So, The Show is out of date before it even comes out now? Great.