Written by Andy | 25 April 2011

Eric Beato/FlickrThough a number of details would need to be worked out, Major League Baseball is set to expand the number of teams that qualify for the postseason from four to five, indicating that the additional team would either be the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox.

"Adding one of the two most popular teams to the playoffs every year will be great for our sport," said an MLB spokesman, stating that the move will be made to keep as many fans interested in the baseball season for as long as possible. "By ensuring at least one of these two clubs reaches the postseason, we can focus our late-season advertising efforts to increase revenue by targeting tens of thousands of Yankee or Red Sox fans in large television markets where baseball is popular. Like Chicago, Detroit and Toronto for example."

A changing landscape in baseball prompted the innovation, as Tampa Bay had improved in recent seasons and Minnesota has been able to increase payroll following their move into a new stadium.

"Small-market clubs have found ways to reach the playoffs, so by expanding our current set-up, we greatly diminish the possibility of a postseason that wouldn't involve either the Yankees or the Red Sox. That's not something we think baseball fans want to grow accustomed to."

Under the new format, if both the Yankees and Red Sox qualify for the postseason they will square off in every round of the playoffs until one is eventually named World Series champion.

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