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Nationals

Nationals

Did your team barely miss the MLB postseason last year? They might be in luck in the near future. 

The New York Post reported drastic changes to the postseason layout being considered by the MLB. They include expanding the wild-card round by two teams in each league and producing a reality-TV-like show to decide which team plays which.

The current format is comprised of 10 total teams, with the wild-card round being a single-elimination, winner-take-all type of scenario. Now, the MLB could expand to 14 teams and give power to the winningest teams in the AL and NL. 

The team with the best record in each league would advance directly to the Divisional Series, while the team with the second-best record would get a choice of who they would play in the best-of-three wild-card round from the other three lower wild-card teams. Then, the division winner with the worst record would get the next choice -- with the two remaining teams playing each other. 

In a sport where matchups matter immensely, the regular season would have added meaning. Both wild-card games, and a third if necessary, would be played at the higher seed's home ballpark. 

All of this high stakes drama would unfold on live TV on the last Sunday of the regular season. 

The New York Post said expanding the playoffs in such a way could make new potential TV partner deals more appetizing, as the current deal with ESPN and Turner Sports expires after 2021. Fox has the rights to the World Series until after 2028. 

 

Teams outside the coveted postseason spots would try harder and invest more money to win now, while more postseason games would increase attendance revenues too. 

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports. Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream Capitals and Wizards games easily from your device.

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