How Many Games Is the MLB Wild-Card?

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By Ralph Torres

The MLB Wild-Card is an exciting time for baseball fans. The Wild-Card game determines which team will advance to the playoffs and which team will go home. But, how many games is the MLB Wild-Card?

The MLB Wild-Card Game

The MLB Wild-Card game is a one-game playoff between two teams that did not win their respective divisions but have the best records in their league. The winner of the Wild-Card game advances to the divisional series, while the loser goes home.

The History of the MLB Wild-Card

The MLB first introduced the Wild-Card in 1994 as a way to add more teams to the playoffs. The initial format was a best-of-three series, but it was changed to a one-game playoff in 2012.

Why One Game?

The decision to change from a best-of-three series to a one-game playoff was made for several reasons. One reason was that it added more excitement and drama to the postseason. A one-game playoff puts both teams on edge, knowing that one mistake could cost them everything.

Another reason for the change was that it allowed for more rest between games in the divisional series. In a best-of-three series, there would be only one day of rest between games, which could be exhausting for players and increase the risk of injuries.

Controversies Surrounding One Game Playoff

While some fans love the excitement of a one-game playoff, others feel that it’s unfair to determine an entire season’s worth of work in just one game. There have been instances where teams with better regular-season records have lost in the Wild-Card game due to bad luck or poor performance on just that day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, how many games is the MLB Wild-Card? The answer is one.

The Wild-Card game is a one-game playoff between two teams that did not win their respective divisions but have the best records in their league. While some fans may not like the format, there’s no denying that it adds excitement and drama to the postseason.