making the playoffs in MLB is extremely hard, 10 teams out of 30, and 2 teams are eliminated right off the bat(pun intended) in a single ''do or die'' wild card playoff game. So really its 8 teams out of 30 teams, that make the actual playoffs to play, you know, actual playoff series.
Baseball season starts from february, spring training to early november for the good teams.
For 20 teams, its end october 1st. Its a long ass, grinding season and every opportunity to celebrate after playoff series wins is welcomed.
Winning your division in mlb (al east, nl west, etc) = making the second round in NBA and NHL
Winning the wildcard game in MLB = winning the wildcard playoffs in NFL