MLB expands playoff format

Does the additional Wild Card team really make the Rockies chances at the playoffs better?

Today Major League Baseball announced that they are expanding the playoff format to include two additional Wild Card teams. This makes a total of 10 teams that will make the playoffs, five from each league. The two Wild Card teams will play each other in a “play-in game” in which the winner takes all. Sort of goes against what baseball is as a sport; from a 162 game schedule and the survival of the fittest to a one-and-done scenario. Then again the same could be said about the playoffs in general.

This does add major benefit to winning the division as the division winners get at least one extra day off and will not be forced with the decision of throwing their best pitcher in a one game scenario. The division winners can rest one extra day (or two possibly) and set their rotation for the Divisional Series.

All around baseball each team, seemingly, has put out a release or their beat writers have published something stating that the team is in favor of the additional playoff spot. (Troy Renck’s report from Scottsdale.) Of course every team is in favor! An additional spot makes it just a bit easier to get into the playoffs and the extra revenue generated from ticket and vendor sales from an extra home game is enormous.

But does it really help the Rockies? Here is where they finished in the National League each of the past 11 seasons:

Not seeing a lot of benefit for the Rockies. They haven’t finished fourth once since 2000. Essentially they finish 3rd or finish well back of the playoff teams. Sure it gives them a slightly better chance of making the playoffs, maybe they finish fourth this year, but so does Houston moving the American League. In the end the team needs to win and win more often than they usually do.