That rule actually worked out to the Cubs' advantage in 2003. As the third seeded division champion the Cubs should have played the second seeded champion (Giants). But because the top seed (Braves) and wildcard (Marlins) are in the same division the Cubs had to play the top-seeded Braves instead. And we all know how that turned out. Despite that, however, I do agree with your assessment of the rule. It penalizes teams by making them play a higher seed than they should. It worked out for the Cubs in 2003, but it may not next time. We did beat the Braves so in that sense it did work out. But it really makes you wonder what would have happened if the cubs played the giants and the marlins played the braves. The whole bartman incident would have never happened. We may have lost to the giants in the first round but we may have still beaten them and maybe the braves beat the marlins and then we beat the braves. These are all hypothetical but I do wish they didn't have that rule in place because it does kinda screw the top teams.