if the WC#1 has to play WC#2 in a one-gm Playoff, then only one of those presupposed AL East teams will ultimately advance into the meat-and-bones portion of the PO's.

The more I look at it, the more this could just be a response to *HOT* WildCard teams making deep runs into the PostSeason, cuz this new proposal severely hinders the WC teams' chances.

If they throw their ace in the one gm PO -- which you pretty much HAVE TO, since it's a one-and-done situation -- then he's pushed back for the following Divisional series vs an opponent w/ all their Starters perfectly aligned...not to mention the extra travel and bullpen usage factors.

Maybe the AL East compensation package is just a nice bonus where MLB is concerned, and this is really about knocking the WIldCard teams down a peg.