See, I don't understand this line of thinking. WHO CARES if a WC makes/wins the World Series? They were obviously a good team to begin with, and if the other teams were truly better, they'd prove it. Second place teams win championships in the NFL, NBA, and NHL. Why is it such a travesty when it happens in baseball? I think the problem is that it happens so often in baseball. A WC team in the NFL who had to go on the road for all 3 games has only ever won the SB once in the NFL (last year's Steelers). In basketball, a team ranked 5-8 has only won 1 title (I'm pretty sure about this stat-I know the #6 ranked Rockets in the mid 90's were the lowest seed to ever win the title). Baseball has had a few wildcards win the WS in just over 10 years. WC's are just as likely as the 1, 2, or 3 seed to win in MLB, while that hasn't been true in either the NFL or the NBA. Exactly. With baseball, a short series strongly favors the team with the best starter (should said starter be able to pitch either game 1 or 2). All you need is 2 dominating performances by your starter and one win in the other 3 games and you win. Football and basketball don't have one player that can completely change the outcome of a given game. In the current scenario, I have no doubt that the current Cubs with Zambrano and Rich Hill going would have a better chance then most would think of advancing to the NLCS. How does taking away a home game change any of that?