Manfred amid calls to change playoff format: ‘It’s only Year 2’

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wants to see more of the current playoff format before making any potential changes after three of the four top seeds were eliminated in the ALDS and NLDS.

“It’s only Year 2,” Manfred said, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “I’m sort of the view you need to give something a chance to work out. I know some of the higher-seeded teams didn’t win. I think if you think about where some of those teams were, there are other explanations than a five-day layoff.

“But I think we’ll re-evaluate in the offseason like we always do and think about if we have the format right.”

The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Baltimore Orioles posted the three best overall records in baseball after each winning 100-plus games en route to division crowns during the regular season. However, the trio went a combined 1-9 in the postseason.

The 99-win Tampa Bay Rays were also swept out of the wild-card series.

The remaining teams playing in the ALCS and NLCS are comprised of a No. 6 seed, No. 5, No. 4, and No. 2. The Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and Philadelphia Phillies all won 90 contests prior to the playoffs, while the Arizona Diamondbacks collected 84 victories before their cinderella run.

The Phillies also made it to the 2022 World Series as a No. 6 seed during the first year of the new postseason format, which allows the top two division winners in each league to earn byes past the wild-card round.

The top two seeds in the AL and NL earn a five-day layoff. Some around baseball have questioned if the break is an advantage or disadvantage for the clubs.

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