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MLB Wild Card Series
The Major League Baseball (MLB) Wild Card Series is a best-of-three series that is played between the two Wild Card teams in each League. The Wild Card Series was introduced for the 2020 MLB postseason and is the first stage of the MLB playoffs each season.
History of the Wild Card Series
The Wild Card Series was introduced by the MLB in 2020 as a way to expand the playoff field and create an additional round of postseason play. The Wild Card Series was added to the playoff format in order to replace the single game, winner-take-all Wild Card Game that had been played since 2012.
The first ever Wild Card Series was held in 2020, with the American League Wild Card Series being played between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees, and the National League Wild Card Series being played between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres.
2020 Wild Card Series Results
The 2020 Wild Card Series featured four teams from the American League (AL) and four teams from the National League (NL). All four AL teams advanced to the Division Series, while only two NL teams advanced.
- American League Wild Card Series
- Cleveland Indians defeated the New York Yankees 2-0
- Houston Astros defeated the Minnesota Twins 2-0
- National League Wild Card Series
- Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-0
- St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1
Impact of the Wild Card Series
The introduction of the Wild Card Series has had a major impact on the MLB postseason. The Wild Card Series has allowed for the expansion of the playoff field from 10 teams to 16 teams, which has increased the chances of teams making the postseason and increased the level of competition for the playoffs.
The Wild Card Series has also increased the amount of playoff games that are played each year, which has increased the revenue for the MLB and its teams. This has also allowed fans to watch more games and engage more with the MLB postseason.
MLB Wild Card Series Format
The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three series that is played between the two Wild Card teams in each League. The higher seed in the Wild Card Series will be the home team for Games 1 and 2, while the lower seed will be the home team for Game 3, if necessary.
If the series is tied 1-1 after two games, a decisive Game 3 will be played to decide the winner of the series. The winner of the Wild Card Series will advance to the Division Series, while the loser will be eliminated from the postseason.
Wild Card Series Rules
The Wild Card Series is played under the same rules as the regular season, with a few exceptions. For the Wild Card Series, teams are allowed to expand their rosters to 28 players and use a three-man starting rotation. Teams are also allowed to carry a taxi squad of two extra players throughout the series.
MLB Wild Card Series Tactics
The Wild Card Series is a short series, so teams will often employ different strategies in order to gain an advantage. Teams will often use their starting pitchers for longer than usual in order to maximize their effectiveness, while also relying heavily on their bullpens to close out games.
Teams will also use their expanded rosters to their advantage, often carrying extra position players and relievers in order to give themselves more options during the course of the series.
Noteworthy Wild Card Series Performances
- Cleveland Indians
Cleveland’s Shane Bieber pitched a complete game shutout in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Yankees, which set the tone for the entire series and propelled the Indians to a 2-0 series win.
- Houston Astros
The Astros used their bullpen to great effect in the Wild Card Series, with Lance McCullers Jr. pitching 5.1 scoreless innings in relief in Game 1 and Framber Valdez pitching a complete game shutout in Game 2.
- Atlanta Braves
The Braves relied heavily on their bullpen in the Wild Card Series, with Will Smith and Chris Martin combining for four scoreless innings in Game 1 and Shane Greene and Mark Melancon combining for four scoreless innings in Game 2.
- St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals relied heavily on their starting pitching in the Wild Card Series, with Jack Flaherty pitching 8.1 scoreless innings in Game 1 and Adam Wainwright pitching 6.2 scoreless innings in Game 3.
MLB Wild Card Series Summary
The MLB Wild Card Series is a best-of-three series that is played between the two Wild Card teams in each League. The Wild Card Series was introduced in 2020 as a way to expand the playoff field and create an additional round of postseason play. The Wild Card Series has increased the chances of teams making the playoffs, increased the amount of playoff games, and increased the level of competition for the postseason.
Who Won the 2020 MLB Wild Card Series?
- American League
- Cleveland Indians defeated the New York Yankees 2-0
- Houston Astros defeated the Minnesota Twins 2-0
- National League
- Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-0
- St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1
Conclusion
The 2020 MLB Wild Card Series was an exciting and competitive series that saw the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, and St. Louis Cardinals advance to the Division Series. The Wild Card Series has greatly increased the level of competition for the postseason and has allowed for greater fan engagement with the MLB playoffs.