Thoughts on the one-game wildcard playoffs?

Favorite Answer

It is ridiculous. Just another genius Selig brainstorm that doesn't fit in the calendar. But it does sell out two games (AL and NL)....Show more

I liked it at the beginning and still do.

For one, it makes the playoffs more inclusive (I consider the play-in game a playoff game, as they are very similar.....maybe not technically so, but in essence). Only one wild card made the playoffs very difficult to achieve, and while this is the point of the playoffs, the huge disparity between payrolls kinda diminishes that, as certain teams like the Yankees were able to form a dynasty in large part because of their huge payroll. I'm not hoping for NHL/NBA style playoffs, but four teams per league was a bit low.

While I do not believe it to necessarily be fair to decide a whole season based on one game, it gives much more incentive for teams to win the division. I think we witnessed that with the Rangers last year, whose major collapse allowed the A's to take the division and then the Rangers ended up losing the play-in game. In past years, it would not have mattered had they collapsed, as they would still have won the wild-card and got a regular series. I never actually considered winning the division all that important growing up because the wild card was an option to fall back on. Now, it's super important to win the division.

So I still like the system. It makes winning the division more important and the playoffs more inclusive.

----------------

Oh, and also, it's fun to watch. I like to watch intense baseball games. A normal Game 4 in a series is not as exciting as a do-or-die fan.

How in the world this "destroys baseball" is beyond me. My biggest annoyance with some baseball fans is reluctance to change. I am fine with those who may not like a change, but so many people refuse to give anything a chance. Change isn't always bad.....think of where this world would be without change....Show more

yes it can be a ridiculous way to decide a game where a team with more wins can get kicked. Lets look at what the one game wildcard is doing giving more teams a chance to compete and teams are playing harder while in contention for a spot and you can see new teams make the playoffs.

the one game wildcard is a must win for teams so you should see some big games....Show more

I like it.
They used one game to decide a playoff spot if there's a tie in a division or for the Wild Card; and having a one-game playoff for the Wild Card makes it suddenly become really important to win the division.
Said Wild Card teams "did have" 162 games to try and get that division title...

I wouldn't be upset if they went back to the old way, though....Show more

I personally don't like it because teams have 162 games to prove themselves. To me it seems like an insult that most teams can work hard all season just to be eliminated in a one game playoff....Show more