How the New Wild Card Format Will Change MLB’s Postseason

“I’ve thought about it a lot, because it became almost like a fork in the road — one went right and one went left,” Mozeliak said. “It was such an epic game, probably one of the greatest games any of us have gotten to watch, two incredible pitchers going head to head, our first two hitters scored the one run and then it was just shutdown city. For us it became more of a springboard, and in the Phillies’ case, it became a turning point for their franchise.”

The Cardinals, who are making their eighth postseason appearance since 2011, are one of several frequent playoff guests. The Dodgers are making their 10th postseason visit in a row, the Astros and Yankees their sixth, and Atlanta — the defending champion — its fifth.

Yet the Mariners are back for the first time since 2001, and the Mets have not made it since a wild-card game in 2016. The Guardians won their division with the youngest roster in the majors — and in their first season with a new name.

Cleveland has the longest championship drought in the sport, with no titles since 1948. The Blue Jays have gone almost three decades since their last, in 1993, and the Padres, the Mariners and the Rays are still waiting for their first.

Whatever happens — just like in the N.C.A.A. basketball tournaments — everybody will come away with something: officially licensed commemorative merchandise.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/sports/baseball/wild-card-postseason-preview.html