MLB Proposes 154-Game Season and Playoff Changes

Major League Baseball has proposed shortening the regular season to 154 games and expanding the Division Series to best-of-seven, while allowing higher-seeded teams to choose their opponents in the first two postseason rounds. The changes are part of ongoing collective bargaining with the MLB Players Association and have not been agreed to. Under the proposal, the regular season would shrink from 162 games to 154 beginning in 2029. The Division Series, now best-of-five, would also become best-of-seven that year. MLB says the format could add as many as eight postseason games if all four Division Series matchups reach seven games. A separate playoff change could begin in 2027. The No. 3 seed in each league would choose between the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds for its Wild Card Series opponent. After that round, the No. 1 seed would select which Wild Card winner to face in the Division Series, with the No. 2 seed playing the other winner. MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin said a shorter season would provide a weekly day off and that the longer Division Series could create more rest between games and reduce weekday afternoon postseason games.