How Many Games Is the MLB Wild Card Round?

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By Monica Bates

The MLB Wild Card Round is an exciting time for baseball fans. It’s a chance for teams that may have just missed out on the playoffs to still have a shot at making it to the World Series.

But with all the excitement comes some confusion about how many games are actually played in this round. In this article, we will break down exactly how many games are in the MLB Wild Card Round.

What is the MLB Wild Card Round?

Before we dive into how many games are in the Wild Card Round, let’s first define what it is. The Wild Card Round is a part of the MLB playoffs that was introduced in 2012. It allows two teams from each league with the best records who did not win their respective divisions to still have a chance at making it to the postseason through a one-game playoff.

How Many Games Are Played in the MLB Wild Card Round?

The answer to this question is simple: there is only one game played in the MLB Wild Card Round.

Yes, you read that correctly. Unlike other rounds of the playoffs where teams play in a best-of-five or best-of-seven series, there is only one game played in the Wild Card Round. This means that each team has only one shot at advancing to the next round.

Why Only One Game?

You may be wondering why there is only one game played in this round. The answer lies in scheduling and fairness.

With 10 teams now making it into the postseason (five from each league), adding another full series would extend baseball season even further into November. Additionally, playing just one game ensures that both teams have an equal chance at winning and advancing, regardless of whether they had a better record during the regular season or not.

When Is The MLB Wild Card Game Played?

The date of the MLB Wild Card Game varies each year depending on the schedule. However, it is typically played on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of October.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the MLB Wild Card Round consists of only one game. This one-game playoff is a chance for two teams to battle it out for a chance to advance to the next round of the playoffs. While some fans may wish there were more games in this round, playing just one game ensures both fairness and practicality for the league.

So mark your calendars for October and get ready for some intense baseball action in the Wild Card Round!