[EXhoosier10]

How will this effect world series winners?? Are the playoffs going to be less of a crapshoot??

"Sources: Additional wild cards a "go" for this season. Playoffs to expand from eight to 10 teams. Announcement tomorrow. #MLB"

"Under the new proposed system the two wild card teams from each league will face each other in a one or three game series before the rest of the post season begins."

http://tracking.si.com/2012/02/29/re...s-this-season/


If a 3 game series, #1 starters will still probably pitch in game 1 of the Division Series (2/3 games + a day or two rest between series) and thus not make much difference in the playoff chances.

If a 1 game winner advances scenario, #1 starters (if available) will likely start either last game of season (to ensure wild card spot) or in the WC-playoff game. That leaves them likely available for game 2 or 3 of the division series and probably not available to start game 5, but only come on in relief.

Between those scenarios, does this help or hurt the wild card teams' chances of winning the world series?

EDIT: Seems like the it will be a single play-in game in 2012. Question still applies... how does the effect the wild card team's chances of winning the WS?

[EXhoosier10]

I'm posting current futures odds for comparison to later in the week

MLB World Series 2012
Fri 3/2 3:05PM
Philadelphia Phillies +500
New York Yankees +650
Los Angeles Angels +800
Boston Red Sox +1000
Texas Rangers +1100
Detroit Tigers +1200
San Francisco Giants +1800
Miami Marlins +2000
Tampa Bay Rays +2200
Atlanta Braves +2500
Cincinnati Reds +2500
St. Louis Cardinals +2500
Arizona Diamondbacks +2800
Milwaukee Brewers +3500
Washington Nationals +3500
Colorado Rockies +4000
Los Angeles Dodgers +5000
Toronto Blue Jays +5000
Chicago Cubs +6600
Chicago White Sox +6600
Cleveland Indians +8000
Minnesota Twins +8000
New York Mets +10000
Oakland Athletics +10000
Pittsburgh Pirates +10000
Baltimore Orioles +15000
Kansas City Royals +15000
San Diego Padres +20000
Seattle Mariners +20000
Houston Astros +23000


MLB National League
Fri 3/2 3:05PM
Philadelphia Phillies +225
San Francisco Giants +800
Miami Marlins +900
Atlanta Braves +1100
Cincinnati Reds +1100
St. Louis Cardinals +1100
Arizona Diamondbacks +1300
Milwaukee Brewers +1500
Washington Nationals +1500
Colorado Rockies +1600
Los Angeles Dodgers +2000
Chicago Cubs +2500
New York Mets +4500
Pittsburgh Pirates +4500
San Diego Padres +8000
Houston Astros +9000

MLB American League
Fri 3/2 3:05PM
New York Yankees +325
Los Angeles Angels +350
Boston Red Sox +450
Texas Rangers +480
Detroit Tigers +500
Tampa Bay Rays +1000
Toronto Blue Jays +2000
Chicago White Sox +2500
Cleveland Indians +3800
Minnesota Twins +3800
Oakland Athletics +4500
Baltimore Orioles +6500
Kansas City Royals +6500
Seattle Mariners +8000