MLB proposes 154-game season and best-of-seven Division Series for 2029

MLB's Proposal for a Shortened Regular Season

Major League Baseball has proposed a significant change to its regular season schedule, reducing the number of games from 162 to 154, starting in 2029. This move is intended to prioritize player health, create a new national broadcast window, and make the postseason more exciting for fans. As brandonsun.com reports, "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," said MLB spokesman Glen Caplin. The league has stated that player salaries would not be adjusted to reflect the fewer games, and bonus provision thresholds would be adjusted proportionally, as noted by mlb.com.

Expansion of the Division Series

The Division Series would be expanded from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format, beginning in 2029. This change is expected to improve the chances of the best teams advancing to the League Championship Series and add more excitement to the postseason. As sportsbusinessjournal.com reports, the new format would also create more opportunities for star pitchers to be available in key games.

Opponent Selection in the Postseason

Higher-seeded teams would be allowed to select their opponents in the first two rounds of the postseason, starting in 2027. This change would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries, and generate significant fan interest. As mlb.com explains, the top seed in each league would choose which Wild Card winner they want to play in the Division Series, making the selection following the conclusion of the Wild Card round.

Detail	Information
Current regular season schedule	162 games
Proposed regular season schedule	154 games
Current Division Series format	Best-of-five
Proposed Division Series format	Best-of-seven

Reaction from the Players' Union

The players' union has responded to the proposal, stating that they are reviewing the materials and will respond at the bargaining table. However, the union has expressed concerns that the proposal is contingent on the players' agreement to a salary cap, which they believe would gut player rights and compensation. As tsn.ca reports, the MLBPA stated, "The league made multiple scheduling proposals today. We are reviewing these materials, including the proposed changes to the playoff format. Players will weigh in on these proposals and we will respond at the bargaining table. 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed regular season schedule for 2029?

The proposed regular season schedule for 2029 is 154 games, down from the current 162 games, as reported by brandonsun.com and tsn.ca.

What is the proposed format for the Division Series in 2029?

The proposed format for the Division Series in 2029 is a best-of-seven format, up from the current best-of-five format, as reported by sportsbusinessjournal.com and mlb.com.

When would higher-seeded teams be allowed to select their opponents in the postseason?

Higher-seeded teams would be allowed to select their opponents in the first two rounds of the postseason, starting in 2027, as stated by sportsbusinessjournal.com and mlb.com.

The collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the players' union is set to expire on December 1, and the proposal for a shortened regular season and expanded postseason is just one of the many issues that need to be resolved. As the negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether the proposed changes will be accepted by the players' union, and what the final outcome will be for the 2029 season. With the start of the new national media agreements coinciding with the proposed start date for the shorter schedule, the stakes are high for both the league and the players' union to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.