Written by: Damián Angulo
Like every year, all fans feel optimistic and excited about their team heading into a new season, and this year is no different. There is a lot to be excited about in this upcoming season. Star players with new teams, loads of young talent, new rules, and a new schedule format make the 2023 season a promising one. As we get ready for the new season, here is what you need to know before Opening Day arrives and Play Ball is called.
New Stuff In 2023
Baseball will be slightly different starting in 2023, with some rule changes. This year we’ll get three new rules, a Pitch Clock, Bigger Bases, and a Shift Restriction. Also, there will be a brand-new schedule format.
Pitch Clock: Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw the pitch with empty bases or 20 seconds with the runner(s) on base, making the game faster.
Bigger Bases: The first, Second, and third bases will increase from 15″ square to 18″ square. Increasing the bases’ size is done for player safety and could lead to more stolen bases.
Shift Restriction: 2 infielders must be positioned at each side of second base when the pitch is thrown. Not having the shift could mean more hits and runs.
Schedule Format: In MLB’s brand-new schedule format, every team gets to play against each other, which means a World Series rematch every year, making the season more competitive and fun to watch.
Biggest Offseason Moves
After a crazy offseason, a lot of big-name players will have a new uniform this season.
- RHP Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers.
- SS Trea Turner to the Philadelphia Phillies.
- RHP Justin Verlander to the New York Mets.
- SS Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres.
- LHP Carlos Rodón to the New York Yankees.
- RHP Kodai Senga to the New York Mets.
- 1B José Abreu to the Houston Astros.
- 3B Justin Turner to the Boston Red Sox.
- SS Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs.
These players were elected Free Agency but stayed with the same team.
- RF Aaron Judge stayed with the New York Yankees
- LHP Clayton Kershaw stayed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
- SS Carlos Correa to the San Francisco Giants… never mind, he signed with the New York Mets… oh wait, he stayed with the Minnesota Twins.
2023 MLB Season Predictions
Baseball might be one of the hardest sports to predict, but here are my 2023 MLB season predictions.
NL Division Winners: 1. Mets, 2. Dodgers, 3. Cardinals
AL Division Winners: 1. Astros, 2. Yankees, 3. Guardians
NL Wild Cards: 4. Padres, 5. Braves, 6. Phillies
AL Wild Cards: 4. Mariners, 5. Blue Jays, 6. Orioles
NLWC: Braves over Padres, Phillies over Cardinals
ALWC: Blue Jays over Mariners, Orioles over Guardians
NLDS: Braves over Mets, Dodgers over Phillies
ALDS: Astros over Blue Jays, Yankees over Orioles
NLCS: Dodgers over Braves
ALCS: Yankees over Astros
World Series: Dodgers over Yankees in 7 games
Anything can happen in baseball. Let’s see what 2023 brings us.
Play Ball!
