By Arslan Saleem August 01, 2024 11:09
Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images/File
The road to the MLB postseason has become even more thrilling with the inclusion of Wild Card teams. As of the 2022 season, the playoff format has been redesigned to allow more teams the opportunity to vie for the coveted World Series championship. Now, a total of six Wild Card teams, three from the American League and three from the National League, secure spots in the postseason. This expansion not only intensifies the competition but also keeps fans on the edge of their seats as more teams than ever before have a shot at glory in the MLB playoffs.
This article will cover the Wild Card system and look at history, what goes into getting in as a WC team for historical context,and much more.
Explain The MLB Wild Card System
Major League Baseball (MLB) redesigned its playoff system in 2022, expanding the postseason field to include side teams three from each league, American and National. This includes:
Three Wild Cards From Each League
Wild Card teams are the two non-division winning teams with the best regular season records. It creates a more interesting postseason competition, as teams that might not have won their division still get to compete for the title of World Series champion.
The Teams That Make the Wild Card
Beginning with the 1995 season, one winner from each league will be added to advance within the division. The team qualifying as a Wildcard must have one of the three best winning percentages, making them eligible for advancement in their league, which does not belong to either Division Winner at the end of the regular schedule.
- No. 1 Seed: Best overall record of division winners
- No. 2 Seed: Second-best record among division winners
- No. 3 Seed: Third Best Record Among Division Winners
- No. 4 SeedBest record among Wild Card teams
- No. 5 Seed: Second-best record among Wild Card teams
- No. 6 Seed: Third-best record for Wild Card teams
Two division winners from each league will receive a bye into the Division Series, while Wild Card teams have to play in an expanded best-of-three Wild Card round.
Major Drivers of Wild Card Team Success
Head-to-Head Matchups
Teams that have enjoyed success against their possible playoff opponents could go into those postseason matchups with some mental edge. Wild Card teams may also feel a bit more confident aside from whoever they are playing heading into the postseason based on how well they've played against their respective division winner during the regular season.
Postseason Performance
Another big factor is the ability of Wild Card teams under pressure. Regardless of standings, Wild Card teams have historically had different degrees of success in the playoffs.
Wild Card Teams vs. Division Winners-Success Rates
Historical Success Rates
Historically, Wild Card teams have fared well in the playoffs compared with division winners. The top seed from each division advances and has the luxury of a home game in their favor, but we have seen that teams can get hot at just the right time.
Since the Wild Card began in 1995, MLB stats show that a total of 11 World Series titles have been claimed by teams slipping through via the Wild Card slot. This is what the Florida Marlins (1997/2003) and, to an extent, even more sadly, quite possibly for a long time after next week, if not in 2021, as well as the San Francisco Giants are.
Conversely, Division Champions still have an advantage over wild cards due to consistent success all season. But the playoffs are a different beast, and Wild Card teams always beat higher seeds in them.
Recent Trends
Over the last few years, we can make a table showing this trend, showing that Wild Card teams are better than previously thought. In the 2021 playoffs, Wild Card teams, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, made great runs in the postseason, confirming that they could hang with anybody despite their lower seeding.
The MLB Wild Card system altered the postseason landscape of baseball, enabling more teams to chase a championship. Three Wild Card teams in each league only promise the potential for even more exciting battles and surprise results. As teams clash for a playoff place, the Wild Card race will keep fans invested in every regular-season game this year. Division winner or Wild Card, there's a tough road to the Fall Classic with no shortage of thrilling moments along the way.
SHOP Mystery Signed Memorabilia
-
Mystery Signed Football 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- / per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- / per
-
Mystery Signed Football Jersey
- Regular price
- $69.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $69.99
- Unit price
- / per
-
Mystery Signed Baseball 8x10 Photo
- Regular price
- $29.99
- Regular price
-
- Sale price
- $29.99
- Unit price
- / per
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
MLB
Sandy Koufax: How Columbia Shaped a Baseball Le...
By Jocelyn Alano
Fri, Aug 02, 2024
MLB
Andre Dawson: Florida A&M's Impact on Baseball ...
By Fan Arch
Fri, Aug 02, 2024
MLB
The top 10 Worst MLB Coaches of All-Time
By Edcel Panganiban
Thu, Aug 01, 2024
MLB
Bryce Miller: Professional Baseball Pitcher Mak...
By Oliver Wiener
Fri, Aug 02, 2024
MLB
When is the MLB Trade Deadline?
By Edcel Panganiban
Thu, Aug 01, 2024
MLB
What is Bob Costas' Annual Salary?
By Oliver Wiener
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
The top 10 Best Strikeout Pitchers in MLB History
By Edcel Panganiban
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
The top 5 Worst MLB Trade Deadline Trades of Al...
By Jocelyn Alano
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
The top 5 Best MLB Trade Deadline Trades of All...
By Fan Arch
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
What is Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s Net Worth?
By Fan Arch
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
What is David Ortiz's Net Worth?
By Fan Arch
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
What is Manny Ramirez's Net Worth?
By Oliver Wiener
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
What is Jeff Kent's Net Worth?
By Jason Bolton
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
MLB
The Top 10 MLB Coaches of the 1980s
By Jason Bolton
Tue, Jul 30, 2024
MLB
Top 10 MLB Catchers of the 1950s
By Edcel Panganiban
Mon, Jul 29, 2024
MLB
Home Run Love Story: Derek and Hannah Jeter's J...
By Arslan Saleem
Mon, Jul 29, 2024
MLB
What is Mike Piazza's Net Worth?
By Oliver Wiener
Mon, Jul 29, 2024
MLB
National Pro Fastpitch: Examining the Challenge...
By Oliver Wiener
Sat, Jul 27, 2024
MLB
What is Gerrit Cole's Net Worth?
By Jocelyn Alano
Sat, Jul 27, 2024
MLB
What Happened to Mike Vitar?
By Fan Arch
Wed, Jun 19, 2024
MLB
The Evolving Eras of Baseball: A Comprehensive ...
By Arslan Saleem
Wed, Jul 24, 2024
MLB
The Upton Brothers: A Tale of Two Baseball Careers
By Arslan Saleem
Tue, Jul 23, 2024
MLB
The Top 10 MLB Shortstops of the 1950s
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, Jul 23, 2024
MLB
Who are the Biggest Party Animals in MLB?
By Jason Bolton
Sun, Jun 23, 2024
MLB
What is Billy Beane's Net Worth in 2024?
By Arslan Saleem
Wed, Jun 26, 2024
MLB
Exploring Sammy Sosa's Origins: Unveiling His B...
By Fan Arch
Wed, Jun 26, 2024
MLB
Are Edmundo Sosa and Sammy Sosa Related?
By Jocelyn Alano
Wed, Jun 26, 2024
MLB
What Are the Top 10 Worst MLB Jerseys of All-Time?
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Jul 18, 2024
MLB
Jarren Duran Shines Bright on Baseball's Bigges...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Jul 18, 2024
MLB
Will the Yankees Land Ace Garrett Crochet in a ...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Jul 18, 2024
MLB
Ranking the Best of Baseball: Top 10 Canadian M...
By Jocelyn Alano
Wed, Jul 17, 2024
MLB
The Ultimate MLB Player Rankings: Top 10 Domin...
By Jocelyn Alano
Wed, Jul 17, 2024
MLB
An In-Depth Look: Chris Sale's Incredible Comeb...
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, Jul 16, 2024
MLB
MLB Legacies: Who Are the Top 10 Oldest MVPs in...
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, Jul 16, 2024
MLB
The Mid Summer Classic: The Top 10 Best MLB All...
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, Jul 16, 2024
MLB
Incredible MLB Power Surge: The Top 10 Best Hom...
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, Jul 16, 2024
MLB
A Comprehensive Analysis: Top 10 CFL Running Ba...
By Jocelyn Alano
Mon, Jul 15, 2024
MLB
A Comprehensive List: Ranking the Top 10 Greate...
By Jocelyn Alano
Mon, Jul 15, 2024
MLB
The top 10 Rookie Seasons in MLB History
By Keith Mado
Fri, Jun 28, 2024
MLB
Derek Jeter: Beyond the Game - A Look at His Di...
By Jocelyn Alano
Fri, Jul 12, 2024
MLB
Who is the Winningest Coach in Yankees History?
By Keith Mado
Fri, Jul 12, 2024
MLB
What Happened To Baltimore Orioles Star Chris D...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Jul 11, 2024
MLB
The Top 10 MLB Prospects of 2024: A Comprehensi...
By Jocelyn Alano
Thu, Jul 11, 2024
MLB
Sammy Sosa's Skin Transformation: Unraveling th...
By Keith Mado
Thu, Jul 11, 2024
MLB
A Comprehensive Analysis: Who Are the Top 10 Je...
By Jocelyn Alano
Wed, Jul 10, 2024
MLB
Fred McGriff: Top 5 Most Expensive Baseball Cards
By Jocelyn Alano
Tue, Jul 09, 2024
MLB
The Top 10 MLB Closers of All-Time
By Edcel Panganiban
Tue, Jul 09, 2024
MLB
How Did Ken Griffey Jr. Get His Nickname "The K...
By Edcel Panganiban
Fri, Jul 05, 2024
MLB
Who is Considered the Father of Baseball?
By Edcel Panganiban
Fri, Jul 05, 2024
More Stories
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK