For non-traditionalists, Major League Baseball’s 2012 season has been a dream come true.
The wild-card system is different, the divisional round of the playoffs is different and even one extra team from each league has been included in the postseason.
Under the 2012 system, the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays would have faced each other in the divisional round of the playoffs last season. Instead, the Yankees faced the Detroit Tigers and the Rays faced the Texas Rangers.
So, as we head into the 2012 postseason, here’s a look at the new rules and what they mean for wild-card teams and divisional champions.