Overview of MLB Playoffs
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball in North America. The MLB playoffs determine the champion of the league each season. The playoffs are contested between the top teams in each of the two divisions in each league, the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The playoffs follow the regular season, which is a 162-game schedule from late March/early April to late September/early October.
Structure of MLB Playoffs
The MLB playoffs consist of three rounds of best-of-seven series. The winners of each round advance to the next round until a champion is crowned. The first round is the Wild Card round, which features two games, one in each league. The Wild Card teams are the two non-division winners (third- and fourth-place teams) with the best records.
The second round is the Division Series. The Division Series is a best-of-five series that features the Wild Card winners and the three division winners in each league. The winners of each Division Series advance to the Championship Series.
The third round is the Championship Series, which is a best-of-seven series. The winners of each Championship Series advance to the World Series, which is also a best-of-seven series. The winner of the World Series is crowned as the champion of MLB.
How is Home Team Determined in MLB Playoffs?
The home team in the MLB playoffs is determined by the seedings of the teams. The team with the higher seeding is the home team for the first two games and the last two games (if necessary). The team with the lower seeding is the home team for the middle three games (if necessary).
Wild Card Round
In the Wild Card round, the higher-seeded team is the home team for the first game and, if necessary, the second game. The lower-seeded team is the home team for the second game, if necessary.
Division Series
In the Division Series, the higher-seeded team is the home team for the first two games and, if necessary, the fifth game. The lower-seeded team is the home team for the middle three games, if necessary.
Championship Series
In the Championship Series, the higher-seeded team is the home team for the first two games, the fourth game, and, if necessary, the seventh game. The lower-seeded team is the home team for the middle three games, if necessary.
World Series
In the World Series, the higher-seeded team is the home team for the first two games, the fifth game, and, if necessary, the seventh game. The lower-seeded team is the home team for the middle three games, if necessary.
Advantages of Home Field Advantage
The home team has an advantage in the playoffs due to familiarity with the ballpark and the home crowd. Home teams also have the advantage of the last at-bat, which allows them to make strategic changes to their lineup that can give them an advantage.
Home Field Advantage in the World Series
The home team in the World Series is determined by the results of the All-Star Game. The winner of the All-Star Game is given home field advantage in the World Series, regardless of regular season records. This means that the team with the better regular season record may not have home field advantage in the World Series.
Recent MLB Playoff Results
In 2019, the Washington Nationals won the World Series. The Nationals had the best record in the NL and were the home team in the first two games and the last two games of the World Series. The Houston Astros, the AL champions, were the home team for the middle three games.
In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series. The Dodgers had the best record in the NL and were the home team in the first two games and the last two games of the World Series. The Tampa Bay Rays, the AL champions, were the home team for the middle three games.
Conclusion
The home team in the MLB playoffs is determined by the seedings of the teams. The team with the higher seeding is the home team for the first two games and the last two games (if necessary). The team with the lower seeding is the home team for the middle three games (if necessary). The home team has an advantage due to familiarity with the ballpark and the home crowd. In the World Series, the home team is determined by the results of the All-Star Game. The winner of the All-Star Game is given home field advantage in the World Series, regardless of regular season records.