The following teams have won the World Series as a wild card team: Marlins (1997 and 2003), Angels (2002), Red Sox (2004), Cardinals (2011) and Giants (2014), meaning that three consecutive titles were won by a wild card (2002–2004). A wild card team appeared in the World Series each year from 2002–2007.
But, even more important, perhaps most important and phasing out the sports analogies for the moment, are the issues. Why are we Republicans in the first place. I deeply believe the divergence from the Constitution, free market capitalism, federalism... even the enlightenment, of the last 100 years is a big part of the problem. We need to get back to the issues, and not the scandal of the day, who rubbed whose arm, or who worked the caucus delegates last night. Since I believe Cruz is a better candidate for this job, I will support him till Trump gets his 1237+ (before, ballot #1, or later), but will "root" for Cruz until then, or hopefully Cruz gets there first. We can debate who has an advantage in November till the cows come home. Whether Cruz has a better chance, or Trump does, is immaterial. Cruz embodies what I want to see in the executive office for the next 4 years much more so than Trump, and IMHO can and must win in November. Either way, there will be "I told you so's" if Trump as the nom loses or if Cruz as the nom loses. Whoever is the nom, if they lose, we at least go down fighting for who we perceive as the best candidate.
You keep trying, and failing, to find a sports metaphor.
Is it a baseball game, a playoff system, what?
There is no anology. In this event, everyone is supposed to be on the same team. One of the people will move on to the next round, at which the LOSERS will be rooting for the winner, and may even help his team. The people who keep score get to take points away or award at random, depending on who they like. The first one to a majority wins, but there are more than 2 players, and a bunch of "free range" points (delegates) roaming around, who can go to any player at any time. If you don't win in the first round, you move to a second round, but it doesn't start over, you get to keep your score, but the judges take some from you, or the free range points may switch sides.
Find me a game that matches that. You won't. So quit trying.