The first of 2022 is here, the first playoff predictions for the AL and NL all the way to the world series; I won't be explaining why, giving records, or too much analysis. It's just a WAAYY too early prediction, cause why not?
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The 2022 playoff format will include 12 teams rather than 10 teams.
In the 12-team format, there will be six playoff teams per league: the three division winners and three wild cards. They will be seeded as follows:
1 seed: Best overall record
2 seed: Second-best record among division winners
3 seed: Third-best division winner record
4-6 seeds: Three best records among non-division winners (in order of record)
The top two seeds will get a bye to the divisional round.
AL Playoffs
Astros
White Sox
Blue Jays
Mariners
Rays
Twins
NL Playoffs
Dodgers
Braves
Brewers
Padres
Cardinals
Phillies
The No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed for a three-game series in the wild-card round. Similarly, the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed.
Then the winners will move on to the divisional round, where there is no re-seeding.
AL Matchups
Blue Jays(3) V Twins(6)
Jays in 2
Mariners(4) V Rays(5)
Mariners in 3
NL Matchups
Brewers(3) V Phillies(6)
Brewers in 3
Padres(4) V Cardinals(5)
Padres in 3
Divisional Round:
The No. 1 seed hosts the winner of the 4-5 series, and the No. 2 hosts the winner of the 3-6 series. This will be a best of 5 series.
AL Matchups
Astros(1) V Blue Jays(3)
Blue Jays in 5
White Sox(2) V Mariners(4)
White Sox in 5
NL Matchups
Dodgers(1) V Brewers(3)
Dodgers in 4
Braves(2) V Padres(4)
Braves in 4
Championships- Series of 7
AL Matchup
Blue Jays(3) V White Sox(2)
White Sox in 6
NL Matchup
Dodgers(1) V Braves(2)
Dodgers in 7
World Series- Best of 7
White Sox(2) V Dodgers(1)
World Champs
Dodgers in 6
That's our prediction before the season starts.