Major League Baseball (MLB) is a sport built on tradition, strategy, and rhythm. For over a century, fans have enjoyed the grind of the 162-game season and the high-stakes excitement of the postseason. But while the schedule structure has remained largely consistent, growing concerns highlight flaws in how the regular season schedule ends, especially in how it affects playoff races, competitive balance, and fan engagement.
Increasingly, both players and fans argue that MLB needs to make significant changes to the way the season wraps up. From fairness in wild-card seeding to resting advantages and scheduling quirks, the current format has shown cracks.
The Tradition of MLB’s 162-Game Grind
Since 1961, MLB has stuck with its iconic 162-game regular season. It has become a badge of honor, a test of endurance, and a defining feature of the sport. Fans and players alike respect the marathon-like journey that culminates in postseason glory for just a handful of teams.
But with the marathon comes issues: schedule imbalances, unfair rest gaps, and final-week mismatches. For teams chasing October baseball, the final stretch of the season carries enormous weight. Yet ironically, the way MLB currently structures this ending often leaves much to be desired.
The Problems with MLB’s Current Season Ending
1. Uneven Competition in the Final Week
Not all final-week matchups are created equal. Some teams in playoff races face division rivals also fighting for contention, while others face struggling teams with nothing left to play for. This creates unbalanced advantages in critical playoff races.
2. Rest vs. Rust for Division Winners
Expanded playoffs have created longer rest periods for top seeds while wild-card teams keep playing. While rest is valuable, too much downtime often results in rusty performances that cost teams momentum.
3. Travel Demands
MLB’s schedule sometimes forces exhausting cross-country travel in the last week. For a sport that already tests endurance, this can unfairly impact teams in critical playoff moments.
4. Diluted Fan Engagement
When playoff seeding becomes predictable too early, fans lose interest in the last games. This undermines MLB’s goal of keeping viewers engaged until the very end.
5. Scheduling Conflicts with Postseason Start
MLB’s rigid scheduling means postseason games often clash with other major sports like the NFL, reducing TV ratings and overall visibility.
Fan and Player Reactions
Fans on social media, analysts on sports networks, and players in interviews have voiced frustration with the current setup.
- Fans’ Concerns: Lack of fairness in the final series, especially when their team’s fate depends on playing weaker or stronger opponents.
- Players’ Perspective: Over-rested division winners lose rhythm while wild-card teams ride playoff energy. This makes the format feel flawed.
- Media Viewpoint: Analysts have repeatedly suggested reforms, arguing that MLB risks diminishing postseason excitement with its outdated structure.
Potential Reforms to MLB’s Season Ending
1. Balanced Final Series Across Divisions
One proposal suggests that the final series of the season should always feature divisional matchups. This keeps competition intense and fair, ensuring that playoff races are decided against familiar rivals.
2. Reducing Regular Season Games
Cutting the season to 154 or 156 games could allow better spacing at the end, reducing fatigue while creating more flexibility in scheduling.
3. Adjusting Wild-Card Format
Reconsidering how many wild-card teams qualify, or giving them less rest compared to division winners, could improve fairness.
4. Staggered Postseason Starts
Rather than long breaks, MLB could stagger postseason starts, ensuring division winners stay sharp without waiting too long for wild-card rounds.
5. Geographical Scheduling Adjustments
Minimizing cross-country travel in the final weeks could ensure teams enter the postseason in better physical condition.
The Case for Change
Baseball is a sport deeply tied to tradition, but it also thrives on evolution. The introduction of wild cards, interleague play, and expanded playoffs were once controversial but ultimately reshaped the game for the better. Similarly, changing the end-of-season schedule could modernize MLB while preserving its history.
Key reasons for change:
- Fairness: Every playoff contender deserves equal conditions in the final week.
- Fan Engagement: Competitive matchups boost excitement and TV ratings.
- Player Health: Smarter scheduling reduces travel stress and injury risk.
- Global Competition: In a crowded sports calendar, MLB must adapt to keep fans watching until the end.
Counterarguments: Why Some Say Leave It Alone
Traditionalists argue that the quirks of MLB’s schedule are part of the charm. Unbalanced final weeks, travel demands, and rest advantages reflect the unpredictable nature of baseball. They believe that changing too much risks losing the sport’s character.
Additionally, reducing games could affect revenue, as owners benefit from more home dates and TV deals. Thus, financial considerations remain a major roadblock to reforms.
Lessons from Other Sports
Other leagues, like the NFL and NBA, schedule divisional or conference matchups in their final weeks to maximize stakes. MLB could take inspiration from these models to ensure its final games matter more.
The NBA’s play-in tournament has added excitement to its end-of-season structure. MLB’s expanded wild card format tries something similar, but scheduling adjustments are still needed for maximum effect.
Looking Ahead: What MLB Could Do
MLB has shown willingness to experiment, from the pitch clock to larger bases. Addressing the end-of-season schedule could be the next logical step. By combining fan input, player feedback, and competitive fairness, MLB can ensure its season doesn’t just fade out but instead builds to an electrifying crescendo.
Conclusion: A Call for Smarter Scheduling
The end of MLB’s regular season schedule is more than a formality—it’s the bridge between the grind of 162 games and the drama of October baseball. By addressing competitive imbalances, rest vs. rust issues, and travel concerns, MLB has a chance to create a fairer, more exciting, and more engaging finish.
If MLB fails to adapt, it risks losing fans’ attention during the most crucial part of the year. But if it embraces change, the league could transform its finale into one of the most thrilling spectacles in sports.
The time has come: MLB needs to rethink its regular season ending—not just for players and fans, but for the future of the game.
FAQs:
Why do critics say MLB’s regular season ending needs changes?
Critics argue the final weeks create unfair advantages, unbalanced matchups, excessive travel, and rest problems that affect playoff fairness and excitement.
What’s the biggest issue with MLB’s end-of-season schedule?
The biggest concern is competitive imbalance—some teams face tough playoff rivals, while others finish against struggling non-contenders, affecting fairness.
Could MLB reduce its regular season length to fix scheduling issues?
Yes, cutting to 154 or 156 games would allow better spacing, reduce fatigue, and ensure fairer, more exciting season finales.
How do fans feel about MLB’s season-ending structure?
Many fans feel frustrated. They believe playoff spots should be decided in intense, fair divisional matchups rather than against weaker opponents.