I think it makes the game a little more strategic. You have make commitments to who you want to level up. May be it should be the tier lower than you are to start. Like if you are gold you get silver players and so on.
Are you matched with people close to your team strength? Some people stay in lower level until they max out so the events are easier. I believe that you are matched up with people around your strength not tier.
Last week I got potw Verlander and maxed him out and pulled him again after he was capped. Its frustrating for sure. Xp was good but take him out the mix If he is maxed.