Here is a weird idea: Do a mini-tournament among the top 2 in each league in parallel with a 5 game WC round, maybe like a NCAAA regional. If the winner of the top team mini tournament doesn't win the WS, they get to play the WS winner in a 2 out of 3, neutral site (Omaha). Basically, this becomes a double elimination for the top 4 teams.
