Major League Baseball Proposes Cutting Season to 154 Games

Major League Baseball proposed shortening its regular season from 162 to 154 games starting in 2029, according to a plan shared with players during collective bargaining. The proposal also includes expanding the Division Series to a best-of-seven format and adding nine additional days off for teams, extending the postseason to a maximum of 42 days. Under the new rules, higher-seeded teams would select their opponents in the first two rounds beginning next year, while most regular-season Mondays would become day offs except during up to two nationally broadcast games. MLB spokesman Glen Caplin stated that returning to a 154-game schedule aims to introduce weekly rest for player health and create a new national broadcast window. However, cutting games reduces opportunities for players to set season and career records. The union criticized the plan as contingent on accepting a salary cap they refuse to agree to, describing it as gutting player rights.