MLB Wild Card Game History

Heading into the final weekend of MLB's regular season, there are still some positioning changes that could take place. The divisions, aside from the NL Central, have already been locked up, and the Wild Card teams in each league are getting close to being decided.

After an off-day on Monday, the NL Wild Card Game will take place, followed by the AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday. It's one of the more exciting (and terrifying) parts of MLB's postseason, so let's take a look at the history of this wonderful change to the playoff format.

When Did the Wild Card Format Begin?

The current format of two Wild Card teams in each league making the playoffs and playing one game to advance to the Division Series happened in 2012.

The four teams who were part of the inaugural change to the Wild Card were the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles in the AL, and the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals in the NL. The Orioles and Cardinals were the two teams that advanced to the next round.

How Many Wild Card Game Winners Have Won the World Series?

While seven Wild Card games in each league have taken place since the new format was installed, only the 2014 San Francisco Giants have gone on to win the World Series. As you remember, it was Madison Bumgarner who took the postseason by storm that year, posting a 1.03 ERA over seven playoff appearances (six starts), including a 0.43 ERA in 21 World Series innings.

Changes Made to Wild Card Format Over the Years

The introduction of the Wild Card came back in 1994, and the single Wild Card in each league lasted until 2011. The new Wild Card format happened in 2012, giving us two Wild Card teams in each league who play a one-game playoff, where the winner advances and plays the top team in that particular league.