How Many Games Are in the Wild Card Playoff Series?

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By Monica Bates

Are you a fan of baseball and wondering about the number of games in the Wild Card Playoff series? Well, you’re in the right place! The Wild Card Playoff series is an exciting part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason where two teams compete to advance to the next round.

How Many Games?

The Wild Card Playoff series consists of only one game. Yes, you read that right – just one game!

Unlike other playoff series that are played as a best-of-five or best-of-seven, the Wild Card Playoff is a winner-takes-all game. This means that whichever team wins this single game will move on to play in the Division Series.

Why Just One Game?

The Wild Card Playoff was introduced by MLB in 1994 as a way to add more excitement to the postseason and give non-division winners a chance to compete for the World Series title. The idea behind having just one game is to create a sense of urgency and pressure for both teams.

What Happens If There’s A Tie?

In case there’s a tie at the end of nine innings, extra innings will be played until there is a winner. This can sometimes lead to games lasting longer than usual and being decided by just one run or even just one hit!

The Format

The format for the Wild Card Playoff has changed over time. Until 2011, there was only one Wild Card team from each league, and they would face off against their respective division winner with the best record. However, starting from 2012, two Wild Card teams from each league were added.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re looking forward to watching the Wild Card Playoff series this year, remember that it consists of only one game – winner takes all! It’s an exciting time for baseball fans as they get to see their favorite teams compete for a chance to play in the World Series. So, grab some snacks, sit back, and enjoy the game!