MLB expands playoffs to 16 teams for 2020

Just hours from the first pitch of the 2020 season, Major League Baseball and the players union have agreed to expand the playoffs to 16 teams in 2020, according to multiple reports. Jon Heyman reported that the players received a $50 million guarantee for agreeing to the expansion, but that number could be higher depending on if fans are allowed at the stadiums. 

The current postseason format features 10 teams, five from each league. Each division winner and two Wild Card teams make the postseason. 

Not much is known about the expanded format yet, but it seems as if the first round matchups would all be three-game series. 

The main reasoning for wanting expanded playoffs was money. Obviously with more games, comes more broadcast inventory and more opportunity to sell advertising. However, I'm not a fan of this format.

I don't consider myself a baseball purist like my dad, who told me he wants just two playoff teams. But I do like a more traditional playoff format.

A 16-team postseason just waters down the competition and doesn't make it mean as much. Who cares if you make the playoffs when half the league does as well?

This is one of those rule changes that I hope only stays around in this weird, shortened season, but I have a bad feeling they might try to make it last.