As I noted, when some starts distorting with intent what others posted, it's a sign, not the first one either.
In my opinion, a team can have a great 162 game season and be less well prepared for the playoffs than another that wins fewer games. It doesn't happen every time of course. Often, the LAs and Houstons prevail. And sometimes a team that wins only 88 may prevail, in part due to "luck" or random factors.
The game has changed a lot, I think, over the past decade, aside from the DH in the NL. The shift is very common now, analytics is a big thing, bullpens have become much larger factors, a starter who goes 6 and yields 2-3 runs may be your ace. The sacrifice bunt is almost forgotten as a thing. It's pretty amazing really.