The MLB Playoff Format: If it ain't broke, you never should’ve fixed it! By Hank Indictor

With the expansion of the MLB playoffs comes an increase in the chances of AL/NLDS upsets. The Road teams thus far have won most of the games in the playoffs, which has led to many people questioning the formatting of the playoffs. In particular, Braves fans are the ones I've been seeing the most complaining. If they don't win a game as the series shifts to Philadelphia, many of their fans will complain that the system "punishes them" for a few reasons. For starters, there's the five-day layoff, which can leave the bye teams rusty come the first game, and then there's the fact that this could be the 2nd year in a row in which the Braves don't get out of the Division Series despite a 100+ win season in the same circumstance. So, in that sense, I get the frustration. However, there's a reason I've been on record saying that the Phillies are a dangerous team. Sure, they could rearrange the seeding, but even then, you play who's in front of you. Still, let's remember that this is a corner that MLB backed themselves into, and eventually, we will see a 3rd form of playoff expansion since the Wild Card game was created in 2012.

There are some interesting opinions when it comes to the playoff formatting. Nick Morgasen, the head of the Empty the Podcast Network, says, "I like the three-game wildcard format because the higher seed now has a small advantage. I disagree somewhat on more games because it's all a money play, obviously. We don't need more teams in the playoffs, as that takes away from the authenticity of making the playoffs. If Manfred could have it his way, all teams would make the playoffs. Rob doesn't care about respect; he is Mr. Krabs and wants to make every last dollar. Baseball playoffs are too long as it is already." Contributor Anthony Marra says, "Only thing that I liked better than a 3-game wildcard series was the do or die one game to get into the division series. Surprisingly, the expanded playoff teams worked out well, but they can't extend it further, or it would be too diluted of a pool of playoff play. I did want to see some tie-breakers because it was an exciting year for younger teams." Nick's ETB co-host, Tom Albano, says, "I honestly don't have too many problems with it. I wish it were 2 out of 3 with the 10-team format from previous seasons (the Wild Card Era from 2012 till COVID, where we had the one wild card game), but that isn't going to be a possibility at this point."

Regardless of whether or not you like the playoff format, it has several flaws. The top 2 division-winning teams in the AL and NL receive a "bye" and advance to the Division Series, which becomes a double-edged sword because despite receiving home-field advantage for said series, the team then waits five days for the winner of the Wild Card Series, which is longer than the All-Star Break, is that really necessary? In addition, the playoffs aren't reseeded as soon as the Wild Card Round Ends, so the #1 seed plays the winner of #4 and #5 seed while the #2 seed plays the winner of #3 vs #6. However, when it comes to the Wild Card Round itself, it's wise to have the series all in one venue; that way, you can limit the travel, and the series doesn't drag. However, it would've also made sense if the MLB had used the defunct NY-Penn League playoff formatting where the lower seed gets the first game, and the higher seed gets the remaining two.

Because of the expansion from 10 to 12 teams in the playoffs, a mediocre 84-win season (i.e., the Diamondbacks) ultimately can mean a chance at making the playoffs and possibly even a World Series run that wouldn't have been imaginable in years past unless you had the division luck of say the 1973 New York Mets, the 1987 Minnesota Twins or the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals. With all of these factors in mind, this lessens the importance of the games in September because of the extra spots and because the seeding is somewhat predetermined come the Division Series.

Johnny Montalbano, Mr. Monty Moment, and my former Game On co-host said, "The MLB postseason format is two-fold. On one hand, I like the fact that after 162 games, it doesn’t come down to a single-game elimination in the wild-card round. On the other hand, allowing more teams into the playoffs, which leads to more postseason games and a longer season, is also not ideal. That being said, the teams that MLB were trying to punish are actually getting rewarded by having more success, vs. the teams that MLB were trying to reward are actually getting eliminated earlier than expected. However, that’s just sports. It’s the playoffs. Find a way to win. And that’s why, just get in. In my opinion, the playoffs are too long. It should go back to the prior format and should be a best-of-3 all in the better record’s stadium LDS, a best-of-5 2-2-1 LCS, and a best-of-7 2-2-1-1-1 World Series. Otherwise, why play a 162-game season? I know, it’s all about the money. But let’s also use common sense. Something that MLB has had a tough time understanding in recent years."

No matter what happens in the Braves vs. Phillies series, there are reasons why I wouldn't be shocked if the Braves found a way to lose; after all, the Braves are without a fraction of their pitching staff, and as I said Phillies are a dangerous squad. The Dodgers pitching was bound to get exposed sooner rather than later, and you could make the same case for the Orioles. On the other hand, a year ago, the Astros had the best record in baseball last year and not only won the whole thing, but they ran the table in getting there even with a longer layoff than the ASB! And nobody should be the least bit surprised if they somehow find a way to repeat despite having a significantly weaker team. "That's baseball, Suzyn!"

There's one man you should blame for caving into the Owners' rubbing the genie bottle for more playoff revenue and money. And it's not good old Rob Manfred. No, for that, you have to blame Bud Selig (who I also would've ripped if HFTC existed during his tenure) because he was the one who expanded the first time with the Wild Card Game monstrosity. From the minute that format was introduced, the classic Pennant Race disappeared, and artificial drama came in. The original Wild Card format (1995-2011) worked because teams were now properly aligned by creating the Central Divisions. Even though a few extra playoff spots were added, the games in September still meant something because the Division wins mattered, and the Wild Card races would come down to the wire to a point where some good teams missed the playoffs entirely! Think of all the potentially great pennant races we might've missed out on since 2012 because of inorganic suspense (now this is a rabbit hole for another day, but one I'd love to revisit these various what-if scenarios).

Tom Albano also added, "These complaints about the current format with the byes for the two playoff teams are going to eventually lead baseball into that 16-team format that's talked about and/or feared with EVERYONE playing the first 2-out-of-3 round (or at least starting with a 14-team one akin to what the NFL is doing now). Look at the NBA and NHL. Do their formats award mediocrity? You can say that given the 8 seeds that make it into the playoffs (and don't get me started on the NBA's Play-In Tournament). But more teams also means more money for the league and owners - and they're NEVER going to turn away from that. You'll also have the fact that more teams can make more moments - think about the 2012 Kings Stanley Cup run as an 8, or the run the Miami Heat recently had as an 8 this past NBA postseason. Those aren't possible if fewer teams make the playoffs. Even my Yankees would have benefited this year if MLB had a 16-team format; they would have been an 8 in the AL."

In short, the current playoff format is flawed. As we all know, Manfred will dive into expansion as soon as the A's stadium situation gets resolved, which means we will eventually see more playoff teams! Does this mean the traditional AL and NL we'd known for many years will also differ? Time will tell. Still, I must say louder for those in the back: GOOD OLD ROB MANFRED!!!!!! And what did we learn from all this? It's pretty simple, "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!!!!!"