Ken Rosenthal calls for major change to MLB playoffs bracket

USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Ken Rosenthal calls for major change to MLB playoffs bracket

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Sep 29, 2026 3:33 PM ET

As the 2026 MLB playoffs kicked off on Tuesday, insider Ken Rosenthal made it clear that he hopes for a change in the future.

Rosenthal wants the bracket to be re-seeded after the Wild Card round, as he mentioned during an episode of “Foul Territory” on Tuesday.

“The re-seeding after the Wild Card series…that’s something that honestly needs to happen. They [MLB] has to recognize that you have the three best AL teams on one side of the bracket,” Rosenthal said.

"MLB has to recognize that you have the three best AL teams on one side of the bracket."

Re-seeding after the Wild Card Round needs to happen, says @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/iPysGKVsSv
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 29, 2026

This is something that fans and others have also asked for recently.

Been screaming about reseeding for years. It's finally catching on due to the AL's mediocrity. Perfect timing before new CBA. https://t.co/pDT8O3xIQv
— Sam Wilbur ⚾️ (@samwilbur) September 28, 2026

There is no reason MLB can’t reseed after the Wild Card round. It’s dumb that the American League’s best teams will be playing in the ALDS. Seems like an easy fix.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 25, 2026

Rosenthal mentioned the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays all on one side of the bracket, with the Red Sox and Yankees facing off in the Wild Card series and the winner taking on the Rays in an AL East showdown.

In the National League, a potential NL West showdown between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers wouldn’t happen until the NLCS, but the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies face each other in the Wild Card round, and both are in the NL East.

THE 2026 MLB POSTSEASON BRACKET IS OFFICIALLY SET pic.twitter.com/D82gbThJkR
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 27, 2026

Rosenthal said the re-seeding has been discussed quite a bit recently, and it will be interesting to see if MLB makes a change for the 2027 postseason.

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