2022 MLB Postseason: What you need to know about the new format

The time is now! The calendar has officially turned to October. You may wonder that that means.

Yes, Halloween is on its way. For me this is my favorite time of the year for a different reason. Once September ends, the MLB postseason begins. How are we going to prepare, well the first step is understanding the new 2022 MLB postseason format.

Lucky for you, I am here to help you navigate this brand new bracket.

What does the bracket look like?

Bracket Courtesy of MLB.com

How many teams will compete?

Well this bracket style postseason involves 12 teams. Six teams will represent each league. That will include three division winners in each league and three Wild Card teams per league as well. Each team that clinches a postseason spot will be seeded and this is how.

No.1 seed: Best league record

No.2 seed: Second best league record

No.3 seed: Third best league record

No.4 seed: Best record among Wild Card teams

No.5 seed: Second best record among Wild Card Teams

No.6 seed: Third best record among Wild Card Teams.

In this format, the No.1 and No.2 seeds in each league will receive a bye. As these teams will advance directly to the Division Series, the second round.

How many games in each round?

Wild Card Series: Will be a best of 3 games with the higher ranked team getting home field advantage.

Unfortunately, the one game, win or go home, Wild Card is something of the past. The wild card series will be played over three days, to ensure that the teams that did earn byes do not have to wait around.

While the Wild Card is not longer one game, I guarantee you there will still be drama.

The Division Series: Will be a best of 5 games with the higher ranked team getting home field advantage.

The Championship Series and World Series: Will both be a best of 7 games.

Final Bracket

The 2022 MLB postseason race was a fight to the finish. In the final weeks, we saw some teams flourish, and others falter. Now with the stage set, the three wild card series officially begin on Friday. Before we get rolling, let's take a look at the official bracket.

Image courtesy of: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-playoff-picture-and-bracket