Sports · Baseball · 3 days ago
MLB proposes 154-game season and seven-game division series
Major League Baseball has proposed reducing the regular season from 162 games to 154, starting in 2029.
It also wants the division series to become a best-of-seven round instead of best-of-five.
The league says a shorter season would allow a weekly day off for most teams and give pitchers more rest during the playoffs.
MLB has also proposed letting higher-seeded teams choose their opponents in the first two playoff rounds.
The proposals are part of negotiations with the MLB Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement.
MLB says the schedule changes depend on players agreeing to a salary cap, which the union opposes.
The union is reviewing the proposals, and the sides have not agreed on the wider economic issues, so the changes remain on hold.
Major League Baseball proposed cutting the regular season from 162 games to 154 and expanding the Division Series from best-of-five to best-of-seven.
The proposals were made during negotiations with the MLB Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement.
MLB also proposed letting higher-seeded teams choose their opponents in the Wild Card and Division Series rounds.
The league says a shorter season would allow a weekly off day, give pitchers more rest and reduce weekday afternoon playoff games.
The proposals are contingent on players agreeing to a salary cap, which the union opposes.
- Who
- Major League Baseball proposed the changes to the MLB Players Association.
- What
- MLB proposed a 154-game regular season, best-of-seven Division Series and opponent selection by higher seeds.
- When
- The proposals were made on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, during labor negotiations.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- MLB says the changes could benefit player health and improve the postseason for fans. The union says the proposals are contingent on agreement to a salary cap.
Major League Baseball
MLB Players Association
Salary cap condition
Major League Baseball
MLB tied its proposals to players agreeing to a salary cap system.
MLB Players Association
The union opposes a salary cap, saying it would harm player rights and compensation.
Schedule and playoff proposals
Major League Baseball
MLB proposed a shorter season, longer Division Series and opponent selection by higher seeds.
MLB Players Association
The union said players would weigh in and respond at the bargaining table; it said the proposals remain contingent on agreement to a salary cap.
MLB proposed the schedule and postseason changes during negotiations with the MLB Players Association.
MLB Trade Rumors reported that opponent selection could take effect this season if accepted.
The proposed 154-game schedule and expanded Division Series would take effect, according to ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors.
- Proposed regular season
- 154 games, down from 162
- Division Series
- Best-of-seven, up from best-of-five
- Regular-season proposal start
- 2029
- Wild Card opponent selection
- No. 3 seed could choose the No. 5 or No. 6 seed
- Division Series opponent selection
- No. 1 seed could choose which Wild Card winner to face
- Main condition
- Players’ agreement to a salary cap
What people are saying
Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players
Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its proposals are contingent on players' agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals.
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
Sources
Pros and cons of MLB proposal: 154-game season, longer LDS could be great, but deal has built-in roadblock
MLB eyes shorter regular season, expanding division series to best-of-7
MLB Proposes Shorter Regular Season, Playoff Changes
MLB proposes 154-game regular season, bulked-up playoff schedule with a twist in latest labor talks
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