MLB Proposes Shorter Regular Season, Playoff Changes
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Major League Baseball proposed reducing the regular season from 162 to 154 games starting in 2029, reintroducing a standard weekly off day to benefit player health.
- The league also suggested expanding the Division Series from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format and allowing higher-seeded teams to choose their playoff opponents, with these changes potentially beginning in 2027.
- MLB argues that the shorter regular season combined with longer playoff series would provide more rest for pitchers and reduce weekday daytime playoff games, enhancing the postseason experience for fans.
- The proposed playoff opponent selection would occur in both the Wild Card and Division Series rounds, giving higher seeds strategic choice in matchups.
- These scheduling changes are tied to the implementation of a salary cap/floor system, a major point of contention with the MLB Players Association, which has expressed strong opposition to the salary cap condition.
