MLB playoff extra innings rules: Format, changes for postseason

The 2022 MLB playoffs are in the Wild Card stage and we've got our first extra inning game with the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2. The extra inning rules are slightly different than in the regular season, where the away team gets a man on second base to start the 10th inning. In the postseason, that rules isn't happening and it's your basic extra innings.

This rule generally didn't go over well with fans when it came about and there's a chance Major League Baseball ditches it altogether at some point. It's the reason we're not seeing it in the playoffs, giving somewhat of an unfair advantage to the away team. Coming up to bat first and having a man on second is easy to manufacture a run. The home team then has more pressure on them to tie the game or win in the bottom half of the inning.

The rule was initially put in place to speed games up and avoid long extra innings. We'll see if that is the case on Saturday afternoon with Guardians-Rays. Either way, it's been a pretty incredible pitcher's duel at 0-0 through the entire game so far. We should see some offense as both teams get deeper into the bullpen.

  
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