Let me start off by saying that I do not like the wildcard format, but I understand that when you have three divisions, it is necessary to have a wildcard. I like two wildcards even less, and I hate the one-and done system MLB instituted for the wildcard teams. I think a three game playoff is much more desireable.
That said, I saw an interesting proposal for MLB to seed playoff teams based on record. Under normal circumstances, seeding teams probably doesn't make too much sense, but we're faced with an interesting situation this year...the teams with the three best records in baseball are all in the NL Central.
Full disclosure: I'm a Pirates fan, but I'd feel the same way if the situation occured in any other division (except the American League, because the AL doesn't play baseball, they play a bizarre, mutated version). The Pirates and the Cubs would be division winners if they played in any other division, in either league. The Pirates won 98 games, the Cubs won 97. Usually, that's enough to win a division, except the incredible Cardinals won 100 games.
Now, I'd have no issue with the Cards besting the Bucs by two games, if it weren't for the wildcard. The Royals, Rangers and Blue Jays are all guarenteed a spot in a playoff series with worse records. The key here, in my mind, is SERIES. The baseball season is played largely in three and four game series between teams. Deciding a playoff on a one-and-done game just rubs me the wrong way.
For example, the 86-76 Astros defeated the 87-75 Yankees yesterday. The Astros advance, the Yankees go golfing. A three game series is a better test (and I can't stand the Yankees).