It’s not quite “win and they’re in,” as both the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets have essentially been “in” with regards to the postseason for weeks now. But, if we’re talking critical regular season games, it’s hard to find a more fitting example.
Chances are, you know this already. How could you not? MLB’s new playoff format has done the opposite of pay dividends leaguewide — expanding the field obviated most playoff races weeks before the schedule ran out, with jockeying for seeding being the only real activity. But, somehow, the Braves and Mets have become enmeshed in a serious race that, while still for seeding, also determines which team will get a bye and skip the first round of the playoffs, and which team will need to play a three-game set in the Wild Card round starting next weekend.