A couple of weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, the host asked a guest several questions. One question was truly interesting. They discussed the third wild card spot and indicated that the third wild card spot is wide open now and several teams could make it into the postseason by clinching the third wild card spot.
I like the discussion and after listening to the show, I began to think about the third wild card spot. The MLB added a third wild card team in each league in the 2022 season. Over the last 2 seasons, there were 4 teams that clinched the third wild card spot. And let’s quickly review those teams and see how far they went in the postseason.
Firstly, let’s look back at the 2022 season. In the American League, the Rays won 86 games and took 76 losses. They finished 3rd in the AL East and clinched third wild card spot. Nonetheless, they didn’t go far in the playoffs. They lost to the Guardians in the AL Wild Card Series. In the National League, the Phillies clinched the third wild card spot. In 2022, the Phillies finished the season with 87 wins and 75 losses. They finished third in the NL East. However, in the postseason, they did play very well and won the NL pennant.
Now, let’s look back at the last season. The Blue Jays got 89 wins and lost 73 times in 2023. They finished third in the AL East and clinched the third wild card spot. The Blue Jays faced the Minnesota Twins in the AL Wild Card Series. But, unfortunately, the Twins swept the Blue Jays. In the National League, the Arizona Diamondbacks clinched the third wild card spot. The D-backs finished the 2023 season with 84 wins and 78 losses. They were second in the NL West. Well, the number of regular season wins doesn’t matter in the postseason. The D-backs had performed well last postseason. They defeated the Brewers in the NL Wild Card Series. In the NLDS, they swept the Dodgers, which won 100 games last season. In the NLCS, they beat the Phillies to win the NL pennant.
Looking back at the last 2 seasons, to clinch a third wild card spot, it’s better to win at least 85 games. Well, the Arizona Diamondbacks only won 84 games last season and that might be a rare case. Let’s just wait and see. So, for those teams which clinched the third wild card over the last 2 seasons, did they go far in the postseason? Interestingly, the 2 teams that clinched the third wild card spot in the AL both fell in the AL Wild Card Series. Nonetheless, the 2 teams that clinched the third wild card spot in the NL both played well in the postseason and they both won the NL pennant. It’s hard to say if a third wild card team won’t go far in the postseason. This season, let’s see if things will change. Can a third wild card team in the AL win a game in the postseason?
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