MLB writer explains the upcoming schedule change benefitting the fans: "I can sum up those steps in two words: Shohei Ohtani"
MLB is predominantly full of divisional matchups, but that's not the case anymore. The league has implemented a new schedule for the 2023 season. This schedule will ultimately make the game better for fans.
Division games have been reduced from 76 to 52 games. There are also 64 intraleague games, 32 at home and 32 away. Interleague play has changed from 20 games to 42 games as well.
All 30 teams will face each other in a season for the first time since the interleague era. And the biggest reason for this change? Shohei Ohtani.
"I can sum up those steps in two words: Shohei Ohtani," said Jayson Stark.
MLB blew up the schedule as we used to know it — and replaced it with something very different, very disorienting and also very entertaining.
@jaysonst on what heck is happening ⤵️
theathletic.com/4150923/2023/0…
Jayson Stark, an MLB writer for The Athletic, went into detail on why the league made these changes. In paragraph 20, he comments that the league wants everyone to get the chance to see Ohtani in action. Him alongside other MLB superstars, of course.
The new schedule opens up opportunities for teams to play against each other who normally wouldn't. The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet for a series in late May. The two teams haven't played each other since their 2020 World Series matchup.
Other highlights of the new schedule include all 30 teams playing Saturday, April 15th, on Jackie Robinson Day. All 30 clubs will also play Friday, September 15th, on Roberto Clemente Day.
2023 is the season of change for the MLB
The schedule change isn't the only thing that will be new for the 2023 season. The league is implementing new rule changes to make the game faster, safer, and more enjoyable for fans.
The first major rule change is the implementation of the pitch clock. Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw a pitch when the bases are empty and 20 seconds when a man is on base.
🗒️ In 2023, MLB will implement a pitch clock -- 15 seconds with bases empty, 20 seconds with runners on base
Last year, only 18/409 (4.4%) pitchers with at least 40.0 innings pitched had an average delivery of 20 seconds or less
Will be interesting to see the impact of this https://t.co/lZMW8SphPz
Another rule the league is implementing is the banning of the defensive shift. When a pitch is thrown, all four infielders must have their feet on the infield dirt, and two infielders need to be on each side of second base.
The last and probably least noticeable rule change will be the implementation of bigger bases. The idea is that this will make the game safer, decreasing base-runners and infielder collisions. Many around the league believe we'll see a rise in stolen bases because of this.
MLB will look very different this upcoming season. Do you believe these changes were for the best?