It's opening day for Major League Baseball and with the new season comes new and revamped rules aimed at accelerating game-play and boosting fan interest in the game.
Of the changes, the switch-up in pitching time is perhaps the most significant. The pitch clock has been shortened to 15 seconds when bases are empty and 20 seconds when runners are on in order to speed up the game.
Fans and analysts alike have expressed concern that the change could increase the number of injuries in pitchers around the league.
Other notable changes include a defensive set-up that requires two outfielders to be on either side of second-base and expanding the size of bases.
Fans will have plenty of opportunity to watch the new rules in effect on opening day as there are 15 games slated today.
Opening Day Games
(All times ET)
Braves at Nationals, 1:05 pm
Giants at Yankees, 1:05 pm
Orioles at Red Sox, 2:10 pm
Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 pm
Tigers at Rays, 3:10 pm
Phillies at Rangers, 4:05 pm
Blue Jays at Cardinals, 4:10 pm
Mets at Marlins, 4:10 pm
Pirates at Reds, 4:10 pm
Twins at Royals, 4:10 pm
White Sox at Astros, 7:08 pm
Rockies at Padres, 9:40 pm
Angels at Athletics, 10:07 pm
Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 10:10 pm
Guardians at Mariners, 10:10 pm
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The changes to the game are pretty significant for this upcoming season and it will be interesting to see what ramifications they have.
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Texas Rangers (90-72, second in the AL West during the regular season) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78, second in the NL West during the regular season).
The Arizona Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series for the first time in 22 years by stunning the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. Arizona next plays the Texas Rangers in the Fall Classic.
NHL players will be allowed to use Pride tape this season after all with the reversal of a ban that sparked a backlash around hockey and among LGBTQ+ advocates in sports.
The NBA’s 78th season starts Tuesday, with a ring ceremony in Denver — the traditional celebration of the reigning champions — highlighting the opening-night celebration. The Nuggets beat Miami last June to become the league’s fifth different champion in the last five years, a run of parity the likes of which the league hasn’t seen in more than 40 years.
