MLB expansion would potentially bring changes to schedule

"Major League Baseball has seen some significant changes over the years with new rules that made a noticeable impact on the way the game is played, and that is going to continue next season with the expected introduction of the Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system. There is also the possibility of change coming to the league of the league itself, with commissioner Rob Manfred hinting at MLB expansion and realignment. If the league decides to expand, some believe it will result in the end of the current 162-game schedule, according to Jayson Stark of the Athletic:"

"Of all the four major North American sports, MLB plays the largest amount of games by far. The NBA and NHL both have 82-game schedules, while the NFL has 17 games in an 18-week season. Having added a 17th game for teams in 2021, there's speculation the NFL may next increase its schedule to 18 games. MLB reducing the number of games in the event of an expansion would become necessary for scheduling reasons. However, there is no indication that there would be a drastic reduction in games, but simply enough to accommodate a 32-team league in the current format. A conservative estimate comes out to 156-game schedule."

""One club official we spoke with this week casually referred to baseball's current 162-game slog as "an endangered species." Another longtime club executive, also granted anonymity so he could speak freely, was even more emphatic. "Expansion," he said, "means the end of 162.""

The Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system is expected to be introduced next season. Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated interest in MLB expansion and realignment, including adding two expansion teams. Some club executives predict expansion would end the current 162-game schedule. MLB currently plays far more regular-season games than the NBA, NHL, and NFL, creating scheduling pressure if the league grows. Reducing the schedule would address logistical constraints without a drastic cut to games. A conservative estimate for a reconfigured schedule with 32 teams is about 156 games. The last realignment occurred in 2013 when the Astros moved leagues.

Read at Dodger Blue