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MLB Playoffs Rule Changes: AL Will Have Two Wild Cards In 2012

The Texas Rangers' path back to the World Series changed significantly on Friday, as MLB agreed to a new rule change that will give each league two Wild Card teams in the 2012 post-season.

Previously, the only disadvantage to being a Wild Card team was not having home-field, but now the two non-division winners with the best record will meet in a one-game playoff before the start of the Divisional Round.

The new system is designed to reward division winners but it will also make it reaching the playoffs far easier for Texas as the Los Angeles Angels should be their only real competition in the AL West over the 2-3 seasons.

Michael Young told ESPNDallas.com that he was in favor of the rule change, because it makes the long regular season more competitive.

"It will start the playoffs with a bang for fans. I think it's great. Another team gets in the playoffs and it makes it so that winning the division matters more."

For more news and updates on the Rangers, visit Lone Star Ball.

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.