Each league sends six teams to the MLB postseason: three division winners plus three wild cards. Wild cards are awarded by record, regardless of division.
The 2022 reform expanded wild cards from two to three and introduced the WC Series (best-of-3). Top two division winners (seeds 1 & 2) get a bye to the Division Series; the third division winner and top WC face each other in the WC Series.
All WC Series games are at the higher seed's park (3rd or 4th seed). A sweep means seeds 1 & 2 sit ~5 days before their DS — fresh, but at risk of losing rhythm.
Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani (LAD) and Seiya Suzuki (CHC) have appeared in WC games. The biggest manager call: rotation order in a short series (e.g., starting Yamamoto in Game 1).
→ Related: Postseason / Division titles / Seeding