The new after-season format does not reduce the bar too much

1. Teams at the highest of the standings would be even safer in their postseason chances down the stretch.

2. More teams overall would be ready to stay in contention.

So far, however, the impact of baseball’s expanded postseason is marginal.

According to the playoff chances tracked by Fangraphs.com, six teams — the Dodgers, Mets, Astros, Yankees, Braves and Cardinals — have a minimum of a 95% chance to form the postseason. At now last year — after each team had played a minimum of 126 games — there have been actually seven teams above the 95% mark. which was with two fewer spots available.