Ever wondered how many games are packed into a single season of Major League Baseball? Well, you’re about to find out.
Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of baseball and discover the ins and outs of the MLB season.
We’ll be covering everything from how many games there are in a regular season to when the season starts and when it ends. So whether you’re a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, this article is your ultimate guide to understanding the MLB season. Grab your mitt, it’s time to play ball!
How many games are played in a regular MLB season?
In a typical MLB season, teams play a whopping 162 games! This has been the standard since 1961 for the American League and 1962 for the National League. The season usually kicks off in the last days of March or early April and runs through late September or the first few days of October, depending on the yearly schedule.
Despite the occasional variations, the 162-game model has remained consistent over the years. If we talk about the few recent years, we can mention the 2021, 2022, and the most recent 2023 seasons as examples. All three seasons had exactly 162 games.
Now, it’s important to understand that when we say 162 games, we mean the regular season only. That’s right folks! These 162 games do not include spring training games, the All-Star game, or the postseason. Spring training games are preseason matches that help players warm up for the season, and the All-Star game is an exciting mid-season event that showcases the league’s star players. And let’s not forget the postseason, the thrilling climax of the year where the top teams battle it out for the coveted World Series title.
Yet, there have been some exceptions to this 162-game rule. For instance, the 2020 season was an outlier due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the regular 162 games, the MLB decided to play a shortened 60-game season, prioritizing the safety of the players, staff, and fans.
However, as the world adapted to the new normal, the league was able to successfully return to its 162-game schedule in 2021 and has maintained it since. Despite the disruptions, the charm and excitement of the game remained undiminished, proving the resilience of America’s favorite pastime.
Why each MLB team plays 162 games in a season?
The 162-game schedule in an MLB season may seem like a marathon to some, but there’s a reason behind it. The number of games not only ensures fair play but also allows for an adequate evaluation of team performance.
Consider this: MLB is composed of 30 teams, divided into two leagues—American and National. Each team plays several games within their division, against teams in the other divisions of the same league, and interleague games. This extensive schedule allows each team to face all others, providing a comprehensive assessment of their skills and strategies over a wide range of opponents.
With such a demanding schedule, the MLB season becomes an ultimate test of endurance, consistency, and adaptability, where the best team is not just about having star players but also about depth, strategy, and resilience.
