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With 100-Win Teams Out, Manfred Defends Playoff Format

Oct 13, 2023

MLB’s playoff format has been the subject of increasing controversy, but league commissioner Rob Manfred is stressing caution.

Already featuring a series of upstart teams in this year’s postseason, the upset wave has continued as the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays — who each won at least 99 games during the regular season — collectively won just a single playoff game and failed to advance beyond the division series.

Instead, the league championship series matchups of Houston Astros-Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies-Arizona Diamondbacks feature three wild card teams and a combined 354 regular-season wins — the lowest total ever for an MLB final four.

Source: Front Office Sports

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