This year will certainly be different. And I like the changes.
Eight teams from each league will qualify.
The three division winners will be seeded 1-3, determined by record. The 4th seed will be the second place team with the best record of the 3. Seeds 5 and 6 are the two remaining second place teams. The final 2 seeds, 7 and 8, are the teams with the best records regardless of divisional finish.
Most importantly, there are no byes this year for the higher seeds.
First round of the playoffs is the "Wild Card" round. All best of 3 series with no travel. #8 @ #1, #7 @ #2, #6 @ #3, and #5 @ #4.
Second round is the more traditional League Divisional Series. It reverts to a 5 game series. IIRC, a lower seed cannot have home field advantage. The 1/8 winner plays the 4/5 winner. And the 2/7 winner plays the 3/6 winner.
Finally, the winner on the #1 side of the bracket plays the winner on the #2 side of the bracket in a 7 game League Championship Series for the right to go to the World Series.
World Series remains a 7 game series.
37 games of 60 completed (23-14), the Tribe is currently the 3rd seed in the American League.
I don't mind it for this season, but I hope they go back to 5 teams for next season. Over 162 games, you can narrow it down to the top 5 in each league just fine. Really, the only rule I hope they look at keeping is the 7 inning double header games. Those have been fun. Don't like the runner on 2nd in extras.
The Tribe punched their ticket to the postseason last night, with Jose once again rescuing them after letting the Pale Hose forge ahead in the tenth.
Hopefully, the seeding stays the same until Sunday. The Tribe has historically not fared well in Tampa, Oakland or Minnesota.