Up until 1969, it was two teams. Was that really better? One thing that ruins any sport is when the playoff invites are decided by one team playing an opponent that is clearly tanking or just playing out the string.
Does MLB really have a higher crapshoot factor than the NFL and their single game elimination format?
Fans do love postseasons. And large ones are more popular. You needn’t look beyond college basketball to see that. Was that tournament as exciting when only 16 teams went?
Arguably the crapshoot factor adds interest. Look at the NBA, which allows 50% of the league into the postseason, drags the playoffs out for 3 months, and then gets to a series fielding two teams seated two or higher in each conference. So unnecessary. But also very popular, despite the predetermined outcome.
My only issue with MLB increasing the postseason is the games already go into November, and not every city will have playable weather beyond that point…