Wild cards were first introduced to the MLB in 1994 to include more teams in the postseason. In 2011, the MLB changed the wild card policy to include two wild card teams who would then play in a one-game playoff to see who advanced in the playoffs. This policy was implemented for the first time in the 2012 season. Here’s a look back at different wild card teams and their records since the rule was first implemented in 1994.
Florida/Miami Marlins: 6-0
Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels: 3-0
Boston Red Sox: 6-6
St. Louis Cardinals: 4-2
New York Mets: 3-2
San Francisco Giants: 2-1
Houston Astros: 3-2
Detroit Tigers: 2-1
Baltimore Orioles: 2-2
Colorado Rockies: 2-3
Seattle Mariners: 1-1
New York Yankees: 1-4
Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves: 0-2
Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers : 0-1
The last wild card team to win a World Series was the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. The current wild card leaders for the 2013 playoffs are the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians in the American League. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds are the leaders in the National League. With about ten games left in the regular season, the Texas Rangers still have a chance to claim a playoff spot while the Washington Nationals have some ground to make up.
