Introduction to MLB Playoff Games
Major League Baseball playoff games, commonly known as the MLB playoffs, are an annual tournament of baseball games played to determine the champion of the Major League Baseball (MLB). The tournament is held at the end of the regular season and consists of four rounds of best-of-seven series. The four teams that qualify for the MLB playoffs are the three divisional champions from the National League and American League and a wild-card team.
Qualifying for the MLB Playoffs
In order to qualify for the MLB playoffs, teams must have the best record in their respective divisions. The teams that qualify for the playoffs are then seeded according to their overall record. The team with the best record receives the first seed, followed by the second, third, and fourth-seeded teams.
Structure of the MLB Playoffs
The MLB playoffs are composed of four rounds: the Wild Card, Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series. The Wild Card round consists of a single game between the two wild-card teams, with the winner advancing to the Division Series. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series between the three divisional champions and the wild-card winner. The winner of each series advances to the Championship Series. The Championship Series is a best-of-seven series between the two divisional champions. The winner of the Championship Series advances to the World Series, which is a best-of-seven series between the American League and National League champions.
Format of MLB Playoff Games
MLB playoff games are played in a best-of-seven format, meaning that the first team to win four games wins the series. The team with the better regular-season record is given the home-field advantage in the series, meaning that they will host Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the series.
Wild Card Round
The Wild Card round is a single-elimination game between the two wild-card teams. The winner of the game advances to the Division Series.
Division Series
The Division Series is a best-of-five series between the three divisional champions and the wild-card winner. The team with the better regular-season record is given the home-field advantage in the series, meaning that they will host Games 1, 2, and 5 of the series.
Championship Series
The Championship Series is a best-of-seven series between the two divisional champions. The team with the better regular-season record is given the home-field advantage in the series, meaning that they will host Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the series.
World Series
The World Series is a best-of-seven series between the American League and National League champions. The team with the better regular-season record is given the home-field advantage in the series, meaning that they will host Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the series.
Tiebreaker Games
If two teams are tied in the standings at the end of the regular season, the teams will play a single tiebreaker game to determine the division champion. The winner of the game will advance to the Division Series, while the loser will miss the playoffs.
MLB Playoffs Impact on Teams
The MLB playoffs have a significant impact on teams and their respective fan bases. Teams that make the playoffs are rewarded with increased ticket sales and merchandise sales, while teams that miss the playoffs are often subject to decreased attendance and merchandise sales. As such, teams often make significant investments in their rosters in an effort to make the playoffs and capitalize on the increased revenue that comes with a playoff berth.
Conclusion
The MLB playoffs are an annual tournament of baseball games played to determine the champion of the Major League Baseball. The tournament consists of four rounds of best-of-seven series and the four teams that qualify for the playoffs are the three divisional champions from the National League and American League and a wild-card team. The MLB playoffs have a significant impact on teams and their respective fan bases, as teams that make the playoffs are rewarded with increased ticket sales and merchandise sales.