Playoffs, first round: who plays who and where?

[Mattingly]

How is it decided which team plays which other team? I know that you cannot play a team within one's own division in the first round. Does the team with the best record (in this case, the Mets in the NL, and either the Tigers or Yanks in the AL) play the WC team? Or do they play the team with the lowest winning record?

Also, HFA is based upon each opposing team's winning record, right? Another one of those silly questions I just had to ask.

Thx. :)

[Pinstripe Pride]

As far as which team plays which team...
I always thought the team with the best record plays the WC unless the WC is in the same division.

In '04, the Twins and Angels had identical records (92-70) but the Yankees played the Twins I think b/c NY was 4-2 vs Twins while 4-5 vs. Angels.

As far as location...
I thought the best record or head-to-head gets home field unless its a WC team and they always travel, unless they make it to the WS and their League won the Great All-Star Game.

As far as this year, if the playoffs started today I believe...
Yankess (best AL record) plays Twins (WC)
Tigers would host A's

Mets (best NL record) plays Dodgers (WC)
Padres would host Cards

[drtybUsch025]

All I know is that the winner from the NL Central will be playing the winner from the NL West. NL East maybe playing Wild Card......

All I know the West and the Central ae playing each other.

[Astro]

Pretty sure the best record plays the worst record, and 2-3 play, unless they re in the same division, then its 1-3, 2-4

[soberdennis]

Pretty sure the best record plays the worst record, and 2-3 play, unless they re in the same division, then its 1-3, 2-4
The team with the best record plays the WC unless they are in the same division. For example, The Yankees will play the WC this year whether they have the best record or not because if the Central champion had the best record they cannot play the WC because it will be in the same division. Of course that assumes Boston or Anaheim don't find a way to win the WC.

[Bukanier]

Who gets homefield advantage when the wildcard team plays the second-best division champion and has the better record?

Unlikely this year though, Tigers and Twins would both have to pass the Yankees.

[Biggtone23]

Rule 1. Wild Card never gets homefield in League playoffs. Only World Series. (yeah that makes sense)

Rule 2. Wild Card can not play its division champ

Rule 3. Division champs are ranked by wins (not sure what the tie breaker is).

Rule 4. 1 vs Wild Card 2 vs 3 unless this contradicts rule 2. then 1 vs 3 2 vs WC

Rule 5. Homefield is games 1, 2 and 5 for the LDS and 1, 2, 6 and 7 for the LCS and world series

Its only been set up like this since about 2004 or 2005.

[CanadianKid]

Rule 3. Division champs are ranked by wins (not sure what the tie breaker is).


I think tie breaker is who won the season series.