MLB, Players Agree to Expand Playoffs to 16 Teams

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 for the pandemic-delayed season, a decision that makes it likely teams with losing records will reach the postseason. The agreement was reached hours before the season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals. Sixteen of the 30 teams will advance to a best-of-three first round: the first- and second-place teams in every division and the next two clubs by winning percentage in each league. The higher seed in the first round will host all games.