MLB (Major League Baseball) is North America’s top professional baseball league, made up of 30 teams split into the American League and National League. Teams play a 162-game season, then a multi-round postseason that ends with the World Series.
Whether you’re new to baseball or returning after years away, this guide walks you through everything you need to know: how the league works, the rules that matter most, playoff structure, teams and divisions, key stats, and how to watch games wherever you are.
What Is MLB? Teams, Leagues, and How It Works
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in North America. Founded in 1903 when the American League and National League agreed to recognize each other and play a championship series, MLB has grown into a multi-billion dollar enterprise with teams across the United States and Canada.
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The league consists of 30 teams divided equally between two leagues: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). Each league has three divisions (East, Central, West) with five teams per division.
American League vs National League
The AL and NL operate under slightly different rules, though they’ve become more similar over time. The most significant difference historically was the designated hitter (DH) rule the AL used a DH to bat in place of the pitcher since 1973, while the NL required pitchers to bat. As of 2022, both leagues now use the universal DH rule.
Teams from both leagues play against each other during interleague play throughout the regular season. The season culminates in the World Series, where the AL champion faces the NL champion.
Positions and Roles on the Field
A baseball team fields nine defensive players:
Pitcher (P): Throws the ball to the batter, the most specialized position with starting pitchers (who begin games) and relief pitchers (who enter mid-game).
Catcher (C): Receives pitches, calls the game, and defends home plate.
Infielders:
- First baseman (1B)
- Second baseman (2B)
- Third baseman (3B)
- Shortstop (SS)
Outfielders:
- Left fielder (LF)
- Center fielder (CF)
- Right fielder (RF)
The batting order includes these nine players plus the DH, who bats for the pitcher but doesn’t play defense.
MLB Rules, in Plain English
Baseball can seem complex, but the core concept is simple: score more runs than your opponent. Teams alternate between batting and fielding. The batting team tries to hit the ball and circle the bases to score runs. The fielding team tries to get three outs to end the inning.
DH, Pitch Clock, Shift Limits, and Extra Innings
Recent rule changes have modernized the game:
Universal DH (2022): Both leagues now use a designated hitter who bats for the pitcher. This increases offensive production and protects pitchers from injury while batting.
Pitch Clock (2023): Pitchers have 15 seconds to throw with bases empty, 20 seconds with runners on base. Batters must be in the box with 8 seconds remaining. This rule has dramatically reduced game times.
Shift Restrictions (2023): Defenses must position two infielders on each side of second base, both with feet on the infield dirt when the pitcher releases the ball. This prevents extreme defensive shifts that had become common.
Extra Innings Runner (2020–present): Games that remain tied after nine innings start each extra inning with a runner on second base to speed up resolution. This “ghost runner” is credited to the last batter in the lineup.
Larger Bases (2023): Bases increased from 15 inches square to 18 inches, reducing the distance between bases by 4.5 inches and creating more stolen base opportunities while reducing collision injuries.
Common Calls and What They Mean
Strike: A pitch in the strike zone, a swing-and-miss, or a foul ball (except foul balls with two strikes, which don’t result in a strikeout).
Ball: A pitch outside the strike zone that the batter doesn’t swing at.
Out: A batter is retired after three strikes, or when they hit the ball and a fielder catches it before it touches the ground, or when a fielder with the ball touches the base before the runner arrives (force out), or tags the runner while they’re off base.
Safe: A runner reaches base before being tagged or forced out.
Home run: A fair ball hit beyond the outfield fence or one that stays in play while the batter circles all bases before being thrown out (inside-the-park home run).
MLB Season at a Glance
Regular Season, All-Star Break, Trade Deadline
The MLB season runs from late March/early April through late September/early October. Each team plays 162 games 81 at home, 81 away.
Spring Training (February–March): Teams hold pre-season training camps in Arizona (Cactus League) or Florida (Grapefruit League).
Opening Day (late March/early April): The season officially begins, traditionally a celebrated day across baseball.
All-Star Break (mid-July): A four-day break featuring the All-Star Game, where the best players from each league compete. Players are selected through fan voting, player voting, and managerial selections.
Trade Deadline (July 30): The last day teams can trade players without needing waiver claims. Contending teams often add talent while rebuilding teams trade veterans for prospects.
September Call-Ups: Teams can expand their active rosters (within limits) to give young players experience.
How the MLB Playoffs Work (Wild Card to World Series)
The postseason has expanded to 12 teams (six from each league):
Step 1: The three division winners in each league make the playoffs, plus three Wild Card teams (the non-division winners with the best records).
Step 2: The top two division winners in each league receive first-round byes and advance directly to the Division Series.
Step 3: Wild Card Series (best-of-three) – The No. 3 seed hosts the No. 6 seed; No. 4 seed hosts No. 5 seed. All games at the higher seed’s ballpark.
Step 4: Division Series (best-of-five) – The two Wild Card winners face the top two division winners.
Step 5: League Championship Series (best-of-seven) – Determines the American League and National League champions.
Step 6: World Series (best-of-seven) – The AL champion faces the NL champion for baseball’s ultimate prize.
Home-field advantage in the World Series goes to the team with the better regular-season record.
MLB Divisions and Teams (Quick Table)
American League
| Division | Teams |
| AL East | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays |
| AL Central | Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins |
| AL West | Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers |
National League
| Division | Teams |
| NL East | Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals |
| NL Central | Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals |
| NL West | Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants |
Ballpark Basics: Dimensions, Capacity, and Seat Tips
MLB ballparks are not standardized each has unique dimensions and characteristics. Outfield fences range from Fenway Park’s famous 37-foot Green Monster to more typical 8-10 foot walls. Distances to center field vary from around 390 feet to over 420 feet.
Capacity ranges from approximately 37,000 (Oakland Coliseum) to over 56,000 (Dodger Stadium).
Seating Tips:
- Lower bowl behind home plate: Best view of the game, most expensive
- First base line: Better for right-handed batters (majority of players)
- Outfield seats: Budget-friendly, potential for home run balls, farther from action
- Upper deck corners: Avoid these for value poor sightlines
- Shade considerations: Afternoon games can be brutal; check sun patterns for your team’s ballpark
- Weekend vs weekday: Weekday games typically cheaper and less crowded
Stats Made Simple
Baseball produces more statistics than any other major sport. Here are the essentials.
Hitter Stats (AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS)
| Stat | Full Name | What It Means | Why It Matters |
| AVG | Batting Average | Hits divided by at-bats | Traditional measure of hitting success; .300 is excellent |
| OBP | On-Base Percentage | How often a batter reaches base (hits + walks + hit-by-pitch) | Better than AVG—includes walks; .370+ is excellent |
| SLG | Slugging Percentage | Total bases divided by at-bats | Measures power; .500+ is excellent |
| OPS | On-Base Plus Slugging | OBP + SLG | Quick summary of offensive value; .850+ is excellent |
| HR | Home Runs | Balls hit over the fence | Ultimate power statistic |
| RBI | Runs Batted In | Runs scored due to batter’s action | Context-dependent but valued for clutch hitting |
| SB | Stolen Bases | Successful base thefts | Measures speed and aggression |
Pitcher Stats (ERA, WHIP, K/BB)
| Stat | Full Name | What It Means | Why It Matters |
| ERA | Earned Run Average | Earned runs per nine innings | Standard pitching quality measure; under 3.50 is excellent |
| WHIP | Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched | Baserunners allowed per inning | Measures control and efficiency; under 1.10 is excellent |
| K/9 | Strikeouts per 9 Innings | Strikeout rate | Measures dominance; 10+ is elite |
| BB/9 | Walks per 9 Innings | Walk rate | Measures control; under 2.5 is excellent |
| W-L | Wins-Losses | Pitcher record | Team-dependent; less valued in modern analysis |
| SV | Saves | Games finished with a lead | Closer-specific statistic |
Advanced Metrics (WAR, wRC+, xwOBA, Statcast)
Modern analytics go deeper:
WAR (Wins Above Replacement): Estimates how many more wins a player provides versus a replacement-level player. It’s an all-in-one metric accounting for hitting, fielding, baserunning, and position. A WAR of 5+ in a season indicates an All-Star; 8+ is MVP-caliber. Note that different sources (Baseball-Reference, FanGraphs) calculate WAR slightly differently.
wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus): Measures offensive production adjusted for ballpark and league, scaled to 100 (league average). A wRC+ of 120 means 20% better than average; 150+ is elite.
xwOBA (Expected Weighted On-Base Average): Uses quality of contact data (exit velocity and launch angle) to estimate what a player’s performance “should have been,” removing luck. Helpful for identifying regression candidates or breakout players.
Statcast Metrics: MLB’s tracking technology provides data unavailable a decade ago:
- Exit Velocity: How hard the ball was hit (mph)
- Launch Angle: The trajectory of the hit
- Sprint Speed: A runner’s speed in feet per second
- Spin Rate: How much a pitch rotates, affecting movement
These metrics are available on Baseball Savant and help explain why performance happens, not just what happened.
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How to Watch MLB (US + International)
US Options: Cable, Streaming, and MLB.TV
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
| Cable/Satellite | Local games on Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), reliable quality | Expensive, requires contract, equipment fees | Traditional households with RSN access |
| Live TV Streaming | Flexible, cancel anytime, includes RSNs and national broadcasts | Regional blackouts still apply, need good internet | Cord-cutters in-market for their favorite team |
| MLB.TV (US) | Out-of-market games, full season access, multiple viewing options | Blackouts for local and national games | Fans following out-of-market teams |
| Team/League Apps | Free highlights, some free games | Very limited live access | Casual fans, highlights |
Cable and Satellite remain the primary way to watch your local team. Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) like Bally Sports, NBC Sports Regional, and others hold broadcast rights for most teams. You’ll also get national games on FOX, ESPN, TBS, and MLB Network with a standard package.
Live TV Streaming Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream offer alternatives to cable. They carry many RSNs and all national broadcasters. Pricing ranges from $65-95/month, but you can cancel anytime without contracts.
MLB.TV is MLB’s direct-to-consumer streaming service offering every out-of-market game. A full season costs around $150 (single team) to $180 (all teams), though prices vary with promotions. Games are available live and as replays with condensed game options. However, blackout restrictions apply (see next section).
Blackout Rules Explained (and Legal Options)
Blackouts frustrate fans but exist due to broadcast contracts. Here’s how they work:
Local Blackouts: You cannot watch your local team’s games on MLB.TV because those rights belong to your Regional Sports Network. If you live in Chicago, Cubs and White Sox games are blacked out on MLB.TV.
National Blackouts: Games broadcast nationally on FOX, ESPN, TBS, or MLB Network are blacked out on MLB.TV across the entire country.
Blackout Circumvention: Using VPNs to bypass blackouts violates MLB.TV’s terms of service and can result in account suspension. Legal options include:
- Subscribe to the RSN through cable or live TV streaming
- Listen to radio broadcasts (available free via MLB app)
- Wait for the blackout to expire (games typically available 90 minutes after completion)
- Attend games in person
UK, AUS, Canada, Germany: What to Know Before You Buy
International MLB.TV generally offers better value than US subscriptions with significantly fewer blackouts, though coverage varies by country.
United Kingdom: MLB.TV provides comprehensive coverage. BT Sport also carries selected games. Expect most games available without blackout restrictions.
Australia: MLB.TV is the primary option with minimal blackouts. ESPN Australia occasionally broadcasts marquee games. Time zones mean most games occur during Australian mornings/afternoons.
Canada: More complex due to Rogers Communications holding national rights. Sportsnet broadcasts games nationally. MLB.TV is available but Toronto Blue Jays games are blacked out nationwide. Rogers’ streaming service may be necessary for Blue Jays fans.
Germany: MLB.TV available with most games accessible. DAZN has held rights for selected games in recent years. Check current DAZN offerings as rights change.
Important: International broadcast rights change frequently. Always verify current availability with MLB.TV and local broadcasters before purchasing subscriptions.
Save on Tickets: When to Buy and Where
Best Times to Buy:
- Opening Week & Rivalry Games: Most expensive; buy early if you must attend
- Weekday Afternoons: Cheapest, especially April-May
- Late August/September: Prices drop for non-contending teams
- Day of Game: Dynamic pricing means prices can drop for unsold inventory, especially poor weather days
Where to Buy:
- Team Website: Official source, no resale fees
- StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek: Resale marketplaces, prices vary wildly
- Gametime, TodayTix: Last-minute deals
- Ballpark Box Office: Walk up for occasional deals, skip service fees
Pro Tips:
- Sign up for team email lists for promotional games (dollar dog nights, fireworks, giveaways)
- Upper deck often provides better value than outfield lower deck
- Single-game tickets typically released in February/March
A Short History of MLB
Baseball’s professional history stretches back to 1869 with the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but modern MLB began in 1903 when the American League and National League agreed to a joint championship the first World Series, won by the Boston Americans (now Red Sox).
The Dead Ball Era (1900-1919) featured low-scoring games dominated by pitching and small ball tactics. Babe Ruth’s arrival revolutionized the game in the 1920s, ushering in the Live Ball Era with home runs becoming central to offense.
Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, ending decades of segregation and beginning integration that fundamentally changed and improved the game.
Expansion occurred in waves: the 1960s added new teams as populations shifted westward, the 1990s brought Arizona and Tampa Bay, and the league has grown to 30 teams.
The Steroid Era (roughly 1990s-2000s) saw inflated offensive statistics and tainted records, leading to stricter testing policies implemented in the 2000s.
Recent decades have seen the Analytics Revolution transform how teams evaluate players and make decisions, with “Moneyball” concepts now universal across the sport.
Iconic Records and Traditions
Records That Define Greatness:
- Most career home runs: Barry Bonds (762) *
- Most career hits: Pete Rose (4,256)
- Longest hitting streak: Joe DiMaggio (56 games, 1941)
- Most career wins (pitcher): Cy Young (511)
- Most career strikeouts: Nolan Ryan (5,714)
* Asterisks and controversy surround steroid-era records
Timeless Traditions:
- “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch
- Opening Day treated as an unofficial holiday in many cities
- Walk-up music for each batter
- Rally caps worn inside-out for comebacks
- Seventh-inning stretch for fans to stand and stretch
- National anthem before each game
Hall of Fame and Awards
The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, enshrines the game’s greatest players, managers, and contributors. Players become eligible five years after retirement and need 75% of Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) votes for induction.
Annual Awards:
- MVP (Most Valuable Player): One per league, voted by BBWAA
- Cy Young Award: Best pitcher in each league
- Rookie of the Year: Top first-year player per league
- Manager of the Year: Best manager per league
- Gold Glove: Best defensive player at each position
- Silver Slugger: Best offensive player at each position
- Hank Aaron Award: Top offensive performer per league
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FAQ
What does MLB stand for?
MLB stands for Major League Baseball, the top professional baseball league in North America.
How many MLB teams are there?
There are 30 MLB teams: 15 in the American League and 15 in the National League.
How do MLB playoffs work?
Twelve teams qualify (six per league). The top two division winners in each league receive byes. The Wild Card Series (best-of-three) is followed by Division Series (best-of-five), League Championship Series (best-of-seven), and World Series (best-of-seven).
What is the DH rule in MLB?
The designated hitter (DH) bats in place of the pitcher and doesn’t play defense. Both leagues now use this rule as of 2022.
What is the pitch clock in MLB?
Pitchers have 15 seconds (bases empty) or 20 seconds (runners on) to throw. Batters must be in the box with 8 seconds left. This rule significantly reduced game times starting in 2023.
What is OPS in baseball?
OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging) combines a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage. It’s a quick measure of overall offensive contribution. An OPS over .850 is excellent.
What is WAR in baseball?
WAR (Wins Above Replacement) estimates how many wins a player contributes versus a replacement-level player. It combines hitting, fielding, baserunning, and position value into one number.
How long is the MLB season?
The regular season is 162 games per team, running from late March/early April through late September/early October. Including playoffs, the season can extend through October or early November.
Why are some MLB games blacked out?
Blackouts protect local broadcast partners’ exclusive rights. Local team games are blacked out on MLB.TV in their home markets. National games on FOX, ESPN, TBS, or MLB Network are blacked out everywhere on MLB.TV.
How can I watch MLB without cable?
Use live TV streaming services (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV) for local and national games, or MLB.TV for out-of-market games. Be aware of blackout restrictions.
Can I watch MLB.TV in the UK/Australia/Canada/Germany?
Yes, MLB.TV is available internationally with generally fewer blackout restrictions than the US. Canada has additional blackouts for Toronto Blue Jays games. Always check current availability as rights change by country and season.
What are the MLB divisions?
Each league (AL and NL) has three divisions: East, Central, and West. Each division contains five teams.
Which seats are best at a baseball game?
The lower bowl behind home plate offers the best view but costs most. First base line provides good sightlines. Outfield seats are budget-friendly. Consider sun exposure for day games and check specific ballpark configurations.
What is the World Series?
The World Series is MLB’s championship, a best-of-seven playoff between the American League and National League champions. It’s one of sports’ oldest and most prestigious championships, first played in 1903.
When is the MLB trade deadline?
The trade deadline is July 30. Teams can trade players afterward but the process becomes more complicated with waiver requirements.
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