Well, it is only an advantage to the team that wins. The team with the bye is going to have the best odds of the 3 teams, but not necessarily better odds than the team the winner of the 1st round. Even when the Nats were good, they never looked sharp after 2-3 off days for rainouts or what not. Playing after 5 days off against a hot team is going to be tough. This all just makes the playoffs even more of a lottery. Maybe a best of 7 for this second round would help.
The days off is just an excuse for teams and pitchers that don’t perform. The teams with the bye get to lien up their starting pitching and rest their key bullpen guys. I think the best of 7 for the division series makes a lot of sense. Of course the longer you go the more bad weather will play a role.
