In the division series, the winner of the wild - card game will always face whichever division champion has the best record. All division winners receive a bye as they await the result of the game. Previously, a wild - card team could not face the champion of its own division. This change makes it possible for the two teams with the best record in the league to face each other before the League Championship Series for the first time since 1997, if the wild card winner has the second - best record only to its own division 's champion. From 1995 to 1997 the matchups for the division series were determined by annual rotation between the west, central and east divisions.
who does the american league wild card play
whichever division champion has the best record