With the Division Series in both leagues creating headlines this week, Major League Baseball’s latest proposal to the MLB Players Association included changes to the postseason that would potentially result in even more drama than October typically brings.
The league’s latest proposal, which focused on the season structure and playoff format, included a revised 154-game regular-season schedule, a new postseason structure that would allow the highest seeds in both the Wild Card and Division Series rounds to select their opponents and the expansion of the Division Series from best of five to best of seven.
“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,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said. “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. And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.”
In the Wild Card round, the No. 3 seed in each league (the division winner with the third-best record) would select whether to play the No. 5 or 6 seed, with that selection taking place immediately following the conclusion of the regular season.
For the Division Series, the No. 1 seed in each league would choose which Wild Card winner they wanted to play, making that selection following the conclusion of the Wild Card round.
Opponent selection would allow the top seed to avoid playing a potentially stronger opponent in the Division Series, eliminate a potential benefit of being the third Wild Card, increase the importance of regular-season record and generate significant fan interest while stoking rivalries.
Just imagine the bulletin-board material that will be created for the team chosen to be the top seed’s opponent.
Among the other highlights of Thursday’s MLB proposal were:
A 154-game regular season with one off-day per week
Beginning with the 2029 season, MLB is proposing to return to a 154-game regular-season schedule -- a number that was used almost exclusively between 1904-60 -- which would allow for additional scheduling flexibility in the postseason (more on that later).
The 154-game schedule would include a scheduled off-day every Monday, with the exception of one or two games that could be broadcast in a new, exclusive national broadcast window to increase exposure for the game. Teams that play on Monday would then have an off-day on Thursday of the same week.
The off-days on Mondays would not be in effect for national holidays and select special-event games.
The Monday off-day has been well received across Minor League Baseball, creating back-to-back nights off for most players following day games on Sundays. The increased number of off-days would be a benefit to player health and could help reduce roster churn, which has been an issue for players and fans alike.
From 2022-25, teams averaged 24% fewer optional assignments per week when they had an off-day (1.45 compared to 1.90 during weeks without an off-day). MLB said no downward adjustment would be made to player salaries in a 154-game season, while thresholds for bonuses, options and similar provisions would be adjusted proportionally.
A 154-game schedule with more off-days during the regular season would end one week earlier, while a Game 7 of the World Series would take place only two days later than in the current system. Each team would play four split doubleheaders (one against each division opponent) during the regular season.
The 2029 start date for the shorter schedule coincides with the beginning of MLB’s next national media agreements.
Expanding the Division Series to a best-of-seven format
MLB’s proposal also included the Division Series expanding from a best-of-five format to a best of seven beginning with the 2029 season. The change would improve the chances the best teams over the course of a 154-game regular season advance to the League Championship Series.
The new best-of-seven Division Series format would add as many as eight potential games to the postseason schedule. Off-days would be added during the postseason, increasing ratings and enhancing the value of the sport’s media rights.
A staggered start to the postseason would also create more viewing opportunities for fans, eliminating the need for those early weekday daytime windows currently in play when there are four games on the same day.
The addition of off-days prior to each non-guaranteed game (Games 5, 6 and 7) in the LCS would ensure these games occur without competition from the other league while also providing great opportunities for star pitchers to be available in those contests.