Major League Baseball (MLB) presented a proposal on Thursday, October 8, that would change both the regular season and the playoffs: reducing the schedule from 162 to 154 games per team and allowing certain higher-ranked clubs to choose their opponent in the postseason.
The plan was submitted to the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) as part of the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. It is not approved and includes different dates for the changes: the selection of opponents could begin in 2027, while the 154-game season and the best-of-seven Division Series would be introduced in 2029.
Eight fewer games and a day off almost every Monday
The official MLB proposal suggests reverting to the 154-game schedule that was used for much of the 20th century, before the American League switched to 162 games in 1961 and the National League followed suit in 1962.
According to the fact sheet released by MLB, a regular day off is planned for Mondays starting in 2029. There will be exceptions for holidays, special events, and one or two games that could be held during a national television exclusive window. Teams that play on a Monday will have Thursday off.
The league argues that this weekly break would aid in the physical recovery of the players, particularly the pitchers, and help manage the rosters. These are MLB's arguments in favor of the change, not proven medical benefits simply from reducing eight games.
The project also includes four double-header days for each team, one against each divisional rival. MLB states that salaries would not be reduced due to playing fewer games and that certain thresholds for bonuses and contract clauses would be adjusted proportionally.
How would the selection of opponents work in the playoffs?
The most striking novelty could arrive sooner, in 2027, if an agreement is reached. Instead of all matchups being determined automatically by the seeding, some of the highest-ranked teams would choose their opponent from a predefined set of options.
In the wildcard round, the number three seed from each league could choose whether to face the fifth or sixth-ranked team. This decision would be made immediately after the conclusion of the regular season.
Later on, in the Division Series, the top seed from each league would be able to choose which of the teams advancing from the Wild Card round they wish to face. This selection would take place once that first round is completed.
This would not mean that any team could freely choose its opponent: the ability would be reserved for the seeds defined in the proposal and limited to the eligible rivals in each phase.
MLB believes that the system could place greater importance on regular season results and create new rivalries, although it would also put increased public scrutiny on the team that selects an opponent and then gets eliminated.
The Divisional Series would move from five to seven games
Another proposed change is to expand the Divisional Series, which are currently played in a best-of-five format, to a best-of-seven starting in 2029. Thus, advancing to the next round would require four wins instead of three.
The new format would allow for up to eight additional games across the four Divisional Series. The league also proposes to incorporate more rest days during the postseason and stagger the start times of the playoff games to reduce the overlap of matches and minimize some of the evening weekday schedules.
The organization argues that a less compressed October would provide more opportunities for star pitchers to participate in decisive matches and would give greater television visibility to the series.
The union responds: the proposal is linked to a salary cap
The main obstacle is not solely in the sports format. In its official statement from October 8, the MLBPA indicated that it will review the changes to the schedule and playoffs, listen to the players, and respond during the negotiations.
But the union also warned that MLB is tying these proposals to the players accepting a salary cap, which they oppose because they believe it would restrict their rights and earnings.
Therefore, the reduction to 154 games and the possibility of choosing opponents do not constitute definitive decisions nor can they be announced as new Major League rules. Their future depends on negotiations between the league and the players' representatives.
Would it affect Cuban baseball players?
If approved, the changes would affect all Major League teams and, therefore, also the Cuban players participating in the league. They would not alter the postseason taking place in 2026.
CiberCuba previously reported on the nine Cuban players participating in the 2026 playoffs, which maintains the current format.
The current collective bargaining agreement of MLB expires on December 1, 2026. Until the league and the MLBPA agree on new terms, the 154-game schedule, the best-of-seven Division Series, and the selection of opponents will continue to be proposals under negotiation.
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