Wild Card Teams Have Fighter’s Chance
In the NFL, NBA and NHL, half the teams make the playoffs.
Baseball is different.
The regular season ends Sunday, September 29. After 162 games, there are no flukes or impostors. In the National League, Los Angeles and Atlanta have locked up divisional titles. Milwaukee and St. Louis are fighting for the NL Central, with the loser joining Washington as Wild Card Game qualifiers. In the American League, the divisional champs are Houston, Minnesota and New York. Oakland is a Wild Card Game probable with Tampa Bay and Cleveland still fighting it out for the final spot.
Do the wild card teams even matter? Do these teams have much of a chance? You wouldn’t think so. The odds are certainly not in their favor, however, history tells us otherwise.
Since 2012, one wild card team actually won the World Series. In four additional years, wild card teams lost in the League Championship Series, (two from each league). From 1995 to 2011, a wild card team was introduced to the playoff format, however there was only one team from each league. During this period, five wild card teams went on to win the World Series.
There were five more wild card teams that made it to the World Series and lost. Who can forget the Boston Red Sox and their miraculous run in 2004. Down three games to the Yankees in the ALCS, the Red Sox came back to win the next four and the pennant. Then they swept the St. Louis Cardinals to break “the Curse of the Bambino” and become World Series Champions. Another memorable journey was made by the Cardinals in 2011. Albert Pujols starred consistently throughout the playoffs and into the World Series against the Texas Rangers. David Freese took over with the heroics in Game 6 and Game 7 of the World Series, as the Cards edged the Rangers 4-3.
The 2014 San Francisco Giants were the champions, beating the AL wild card Kansas City Royals. Madison Bumgarner came through every time he took the mound throughout the playoffs, having one of the most phenomenal pitching performances in the World Series. The Red Sox, Cards and the Giants were all WC teams.
This certainly goes against the “wild card teams don’t have a chance” mantra. Wild card teams can have a huge impact on the playoffs. You might say it’s all about additional revenue, but I think there’s much more to it. One favorable factor is teams are playing “meaningful” baseball all through the end of the regular season. The wild card winners have competed and fought for the right to move on. These teams are “hot.” Weigh this against the “rest vs. rust” factor, which divisional champs all have to deal with (some more than others). Yes, resting players is important, especially to nurse injuries, but this isn’t football. Professionals know how to “get up” for the playoffs. For younger players new to the postseason, just watch the veteran players. It’s interesting to note that the Washington Nationals, who have not done well as divisional champs, are actually relishing their wild card role.
Some teams had their divisions wrapped up long ago, so they’re busy resting their players. They’re getting pitching rotations set or they’re looking at young talent from the farm system. Is this rest just the precursor to “rust”? Don’t overthink this. It’s still baseball. All clubs still have to get down to the 25-man playoff rosters. Certain players will rise to the occasion. There will be unexpected contributions, probably from the bottom of the order. Pitchers will realize that shining in the playoffs is the pinnacle. It takes timely hitting and pitching. Together with solid defense. It takes role players performing at their best.
I know all of this will take place. I’m just not sure of the who, what, where, why or how. I love October baseball!
