Do you want proof that baseball playoffs are a total crapshoot? The Eugene Emeralds went 31–45 and just won their league’s playoffs.
The Emeralds, a Cubs affiliate, had the worst record in the Class A Short Season Northwest League but qualified for the playoffs thanks to some wonky minor league rules.
The Northwest League awards playoff spots to four teams: whoever has the most wins in the first and second halves of the season, in both the North and South divisions. The powerhouse Hillsboro Hops won both halves of the season in the South (with a cumulative record of 51–25, a .