At the doorstep of the postseason , prepare to re-familiarize with a polarizing question: Is the first-round bye an advantage or a detriment?

In the latest episode of the “6-1-1 Podcast” co-hosted by Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins , the former Phillies stars chimed in on the debate.

“I think the teams that actually make the Wild Card round are the most dangerous teams,” Howard said. “They’re fighting, scratching, clawing to get into the postseason. Every game right now, for them, is a postseason game. You get into that first Wild Card round, you’re geared up. And then all of a sudden ... you’re going up against a ‘colder’ team.”

So, what’s the difference? Why, in some cases, does the rested team -- with the better regular-season record -- fall flat?

“Your timing goes off,” Rollins

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