From Mlb · · 1m 10s
First-round byes in MLB playoffs
How first-round byes affect playoff teams in MLB.
In brief
How first-round byes affect playoff teams in MLB. Teams with first-round byes in MLB playoffs have a 57.6% projected winning rate versus 56.3% actual winning rate in Division Series since 2022. Originally reported by Mlb.
First-round bye teams
Milwaukee and Los Angeles in the National League, Cleveland and Tampa Bay in the American League got first-round byes.
Momentum concern
Baseball fans worry bye teams lose momentum after a week off from competitive pitching.
2023 upset
The Braves, Dodgers, and Orioles lost in the Division Series after having first-round byes in 2023.
Bye teams' record
Since 2022, bye teams won 9 of 16 Division Series, while Wild Card Series winners won 7.
2023 results
The 2023 Braves lost to the Phillies despite having a 104-win record.
FanGraphs projections
FanGraphs projected bye teams to win 57.6% of Division Series versus 56.3% actual winning rate.
Momentum myth
Hitting a bad series after a bye doesn't affect bye teams' overall playoff success.
What happens next
Two or three of the four bye teams will advance to the next round of playoffs.
What it means
Teams with first-round byes in MLB playoffs have a 57.6% projected winning rate versus 56.3% actual winning rate in Division Series since 2022.
