Is MLB’s 12-Team Playoff Field Too Big? How the Expanded Format Might Be Diluting the Postseason
Major League Baseball’s switch to a 12-team postseason field has brought more drama to September—but it’s also sparked criticism that too many mediocre teams are still alive deep into the regular season. According to one analyst, the 12-team format is watering down the value of winning, making teams with unremarkable records playoff contenders, and potentially diminishing the prestige of the postseason race.
What Changed & Why It Raised Eyebrows
In 2022, MLB expanded the postseason from 10 teams to 12. The idea was to get more fan bases invested for longer, make more games meaningful, and add more “win-or-go-home” moments early on. It made sense from a business and entertainment standpoint. But, as the season progresses, some voices say the change may have gone too far—letting teams who underperformed still sniff a playoff spot, which could weaken the meaning of what it means to be a true playoff team.
Who’s Playing Without Compelling Credentials
Critics point out several current contenders who, under the old, tighter format, likely would’ve been eliminated well before now. Teams with hovering just-above-.500 records, or those with long stretches of poor play, are still mathematically alive. Some examples:
A team like the Diamondbacks (~84 wins) might’ve been a strong achievement under the old format—but not necessarily playoff caliber by its traditional standards.
Others, like the Cardinals, have trailed off in the second half of the season yet remain in the mix simply because more spots are available.
The argument is that this gives under-performing teams a safety net: mediocrity doesn’t immediately disqualify, and slumps don’t always kill playoff hopes quickly.
Impact on the Regular Season: Mixed Signals
What does this mean for how teams play, and how fans perceive the regular season?
Pros:
More teams stay in contention longer, which can keep interest high, especially in cities whose teams would otherwise be long out of the picture.
More wild card spots mean more meaningful late-season games, even for teams not competing for division titles.
Cons:
The reward for consistent excellence is blurred. If a team with occasional bad months can still make the postseason, it reduces the differential between good and average.
Fans of top teams may feel like their long regular-season efforts are undervalued—why dominate the regular season if just being “good enough” gets you in anyway?
Wild Card Series & Short Playoff Rounds: Are They Fair?
One criticism is that shorter Wild Card Series (best-of-three) and early rounds can be volatile. In baseball, which has a lot of variance game-to-game (starting pitching, offense, errors), shorter series favor upsets or randomness. A team that limped into the Playoffs might catch fire for a weekend and sneak through a short series—even if over 162 games they seemed less strong.
What Fans Are Saying
Many fans are split:
Some embrace the drama. They like that more teams have hope, more cities have something to root for until the very end.
Others feel the prestige and purity of the regular season are declining. For long-suffering fanbases, it’s exciting; for purge-oriented fans, it’s frustrating to see playoff spots feel less earned.
Possible Fixes or Compromises
If MLB wanted to tweak the system to preserve postseason drama while keeping standards high, these ideas have come up:
Increase minimum win thresholds or use more performance metrics (run differential, second-half record) to judge playoff eligibility.
Lengthen early rounds (i.e. make Wild Card Series longer than three games) to reduce the effect of randomness.
Give more substantial rest or advantage to teams topping their divisions—so regular-season dominance carries more weight.
Financial & Broadcast Stakes
It’s not just about fairness or bragging rights:
More playoff teams means more markets remain active later in the season, which is good for attendance, ratings, local businesses, televised games.
More playoff games mean more TV revenue, sponsorships, merchandise opportunity.
So any argument to tighten up the format has to contend with financial realities—MLB, teams, and broadcasters have stakes in keeping as many fans engaged as possible as late as possible.
What It All Boils Down To
MLB’s expanded playoff format is a balancing act:
Between including more teams and preserving the value of regular-season excellence.
Between entertaining more fan bases deeper into September and making sure the postseason still feels earned.
As things stand, many believe the pendulum might’ve swung a little too far toward inclusion—and now the league, the teams, and the fans are questioning how to bring back some of the edge without losing drama.
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