All of them had 3-2 leads. Some would have won a three-game set. But they don't have the pennant or the trophy, do they? I think you're missing the point. If you win the 1st game of a 3-game series, the second game is the one where you "have the team on the ropes" and should be upset if they let it get away (or the 3rd if you lose the 2nd). If you win the 1st 2 games, you've ALREADY won the series, there is no "closing out" to do! We're not talking about 3-2. I think everybody will agree you DO need to "close out" if it's 3-2. 4-2 WILL win a series everytime. Summary: 3-2 != going for sweep. One more thought: If playoff series were only 3 games, there wouldn't have even been a game 3.