Here’s the facts, since MLB switched to the 8 team divisional format in 1995 (note that there is a distinction between best record and home field advantage…a wild card team may have a better record, but never have home field advantage):

–> Of the 44 Divisional Series, the team with the best record has only won 19 of the series. The team with the poorer record has won 23 of the series (2 of the series involved teams with the same record). The underdog certainly favors a 5 game series.

–> Of the 22 league championship series, the team with the best record has won 13 times. The favorite certainly favors a 7 game series.

–> Of the 11 World Series, the team with the best record has only won 4 times. Though one can argue records aren’t truly indicative of the team’s ability once you cross over and play the opposing league.

Seems to me that the current playoff format isn’t working. Teams slug it out over 162 games, then chance dictates whether they advance past 1st round.