Implications of new playoff format on Phillies

Major League Baseball officially announced the addition of one Wild Card team in each league.  At first glance, the baseball traditionalist in me hated the idea of adding yet another team to line the pockets of the owners and render division titles virtually useless.

But, believe it or not, an extra Wild Card team actually gives more meaning to winning your division.  Under the new format, the two Wild Cards must face off in a one game playoff where they need to use their best available arms. 

Now the Wild Card team can't save their best pitcher for game 1 of the NLDS.  That's a huge advantage to the Phillies if they win the NL East again because it may eliminate the Wild Card's staff ace and nearly guarantees the Phils see their fourth or fifth starter.

However...

MLB also announced that due to scheduling conflicts, for the 2012 season only the top seed with play the first two games of the NLDS on the road and the last three at home.  Huh?  Doesn't that penalize the top seed?  That means that if this was in place last season, the Phillies would have won 102 regular season games only to play in St. Louis for the first two games.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but if the Phillies can split the first two games they are in a great position.  Just win the first two and it's not a problem.  Still, why not let the top seed choose and end the controversy all together?