MLB Owners Propose Shorter Season, Expanded Postseason Amid Lockout Fears

Major League Baseball owners have put forth a proposal that includes reverting to a 154-game regular season, shortening the slate by eight games from the current 162-game standard, and expanding the Division Series to a best-of-seven format. The proposal, aimed at getting games played as planned in 2027, also introduces a new postseason element: the highest seeds in the Wild Card and Division Series would have the ability to choose their opponents.

This initiative comes as the league faces the possibility of a second lockout this decade, with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1. Owners have also included a salary cap in their proposal, a point of contention that players have consistently opposed.

MLB spokesman Glen Caplin stated that a 154-game schedule would allow for a weekly off-day, which he believes would benefit player health and create new national broadcast windows. "A shorter regular season unlocks making October even better for our fans -- with fewer weekday afternoon games, a longer Division Series and more opportunities to see the game’s best pitchers on the biggest stage," Caplin said. He added that allowing top seeds to select their opponents would "create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones."

The proposed change to playoff seeding may be a response to recent postseason formats where teams with strong regular-season records did not advance to the Championship Series. Under the current system, reseeding does not occur, and the top seeds automatically face predetermined matchups. For instance, in a recent scenario, the New York Yankees, despite having the second-best record in the American League, were seeded fourth.

The 154-game schedule, if implemented, would not take effect until 2029. This schedule would incorporate a plan for teams to have Mondays off, except for nationally televised games or holidays, in which case the off-day would shift to Thursday. This mirrors the current off-day schedule for Minor League Baseball. Additionally, each team would play a scheduled split doubleheader against each of its division rivals during the season.

MLB teams originally played 154 games annually before the schedule was expanded in the 1960s. The proposal also includes a provision for scheduled split doubleheaders against division rivals. The league is expected to implement a lockout on December 1 if an agreement is not reached.