Why Did I Not Make The Playoffs?

[PoopyJoe69]

In the attached images, I finished third in my division and tied for the last wildcard spot. However, there was never a tie-breaking game to determine who won the last spot; additionally, the AL East finished in a tie as well, yet that game was not played either. As a result, I did not make the playoffs, and I didn't see any games on my schedule that indicated I played any games beyond the regular season. Is there any reason this occurred?

[CBLCardinals]

Originally Posted by PoopyJoe69

In the attached images, I finished third in my division and tied for the last wildcard spot. However, there was never a tie-breaking game to determine who won the last spot; additionally, the AL East finished in a tie as well, yet that game was not played either. As a result, I did not make the playoffs, and I didn't see any games on my schedule that indicated I played any games beyond the regular season. Is there any reason this occurred?

What was your head-to-head record versus Houston?

I’m assuming they are the 3rd WC?

[1991Cubs]

If you go to League settings and click on options, there is an option to Break ties with tiebreaker game. You probably don't have that box checked.

Go, Cubs, Go

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by PoopyJoe69

In the attached images, I finished third in my division and tied for the last wildcard spot. However, there was never a tie-breaking game to determine who won the last spot; additionally, the AL East finished in a tie as well, yet that game was not played either. As a result, I did not make the playoffs, and I didn't see any games on my schedule that indicated I played any games beyond the regular season. Is there any reason this occurred?

With the addition of the third wild card qualifier in each league, MLB in real life ended the playing of tiebreaking games and switched to using non-game methods to resolve ties, including ties for first place in a division. The steps are:

(1) Head-to-head record between the tied teams.
(2) Better division record.
(3) Better record in games within the league.
(4) Better record in games within the league over the last half of the season.

So, as CBL Cardinals suggested, check Houston's head-to-head record against Kansas City..


In regards to tiebreaking games, if they were to be played, it is ambiguous as to what MLB would have done since it never developed any procedures for three wild card qualifiers in each league.

Given that, while Tampa and Toronto were tied, both were in the playoffs anyway and both would have played in the first round, a tiebreaking game may not have been played and non-game methods used to resolve the tie.

Given that Houston and Kansas City were tied for the final playoff spot, and only one could advance to the post-season, a tiebreaking game would have been played.

[rink23]

I had that happen with the 2026 version of the St. Louis Cardinals.
I tied with Arizona for the third NL Wild Card, but was squeezed out after having lost in head--to-head play to the D'backs 4-2.

[PoopyJoe69]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

With the addition of the third wild card qualifier in each league, MLB in real life ended the playing of tiebreaking games and switched to using non-game methods to resolve ties, including ties for first place in a division. The steps are:

(1) Head-to-head record between the tied teams.
(2) Better division record.
(3) Better record in games within the league.
(4) Better record in games within the league over the last half of the season.

So, as CBL Cardinals suggested, check Houston's head-to-head record against Kansas City..


In regards to tiebreaking games, if they were to be played, it is ambiguous as to what MLB would have done since it never developed any procedures for three wild card qualifiers in each league.

Given that, while Tampa and Toronto were tied, both were in the playoffs anyway and both would have played in the first round, a tiebreaking game may not have been played and non-game methods used to resolve the tie.

Given that Houston and Kansas City were tied for the final playoff spot, and only one could advance to the post-season, a tiebreaking game would have been played.

I didn't realize that MLB changed that rule! Yes, Houston had a 5-1 regular season record against the Royals, which explains it!