Twelve teams make the MLB playoffs in total, with six teams from the American League and six teams from the National League. This includes the three division winners from each league and three Wild Card teams from each league. The top two seeds in each league get a first-round bye and advance directly to the Division Series, while the other four teams in each league compete in the Wild Card Series, which is a best-of-three format.
Summary of MLB Playoff Teams and Format
- Total playoff teams: 12 (6 from AL, 6 from NL)
- Division winners per league: 3
- Wild Card teams per league: 3
- First-round byes: Top 2 seeds in each league
- Wild Card Series: Best-of-three between seed 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5 in each league
This format was introduced recently and replaced the previous smaller playoff fields and the single-elimination Wild Card Game.