the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the 2023 Major League Baseball season begins today, with all 30 teams playing their first game on Opening Day for the first time since 1968 (see schedule). The sport has undergone several major rule changes analysts expect will have significant impact on the game.
The most visible change is the adoption of a pitch clock, where pitchers must throw the ball within a certain timeframe. The clock, combined with a limit on pitcher throws to first base, is expected to shorten games by roughly 20 minutes on average while boosting base-stealing attempts. Bases have been enlarged by three square inches (see photo), reducing the distance between bases by 4.5 inches. Additionally, certain defensive shifts—where infielders take positions based on a batter’s hitting tendencies—have been banned, a move expected to benefit hitters. See a full rule breakdown here.
Defending champion Houston Astros are the betting favorites to win the World Series, followed closely by the Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves.
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