Understanding the MLB Season: How Many Games Are Played?

I’ve been covering baseball long enough to know that the question of how many games in an MLB season isn’t just about counting—it’s about rhythm, tradition, and the relentless grind that separates contenders from the rest. The answer, of course, is 162. It’s been that way since 1961, when the league expanded from 154 games, and despite endless debates about fatigue, pace of play, and player health, the number has stuck. Why? Because 162 games don’t just test skill; they expose character. A team can look dominant in April but crumble by September, and vice versa. That’s the beauty of it.

The 162-game season is baseball’s great equalizer. It’s why we still talk about the 1961 Yankees, who played 163 games to decide the pennant, or the 2018 Red Sox, who turned a mediocre start into a historic 108-win season. The schedule is brutal by design—162 games mean 162 chances to prove yourself, to rally back, or to fade away. And yet, every year, fans argue that the season is too long or too short. I’ve heard it all. But here’s the truth: the number works. It always has.

How Many Games Are Played in an MLB Season? The Full Breakdown*

Alright, let’s cut to the chase: the MLB season isn’t just a marathon—it’s a grueling, 162-game slog that separates the contenders from the pretenders. I’ve been covering baseball long enough to know that every game matters, even the ones in April that feel like exhibition matches. But why 162? It’s a number that’s been etched in stone since 1961, when the league expanded from 154 games. The reasoning? More revenue, more fan engagement, and, let’s be honest, more opportunities for teams to claw their way into the playoffs.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Regular Season: 162 games per team. No exceptions.
• Interleague Play: 19 games against teams from the other league. Yeah, it’s a relic, but it’s here to stay.
• Division Rivals: 19 games against each division opponent. That’s right—you’ll see the Yankees and Red Sox 19 times. Glorious.
• Other League Games: 20 games against teams from the other league’s division. Because why not?

Now, let’s talk about the grind. Teams play 18 games in April, 17 in May, and so on—it’s a carefully calibrated schedule designed to keep everyone exhausted but not broken. I’ve seen teams go 16-6 in April and collapse by July. It happens. The schedule is a beast, but it’s the only way to determine who’s truly worthy of the postseason.

Here’s a quick reference table for how the games stack up:

And don’t forget the playoffs. The Wild Card teams play one game—winner takes all. The Division Series? Best of five. Championship Series? Best of seven. The World Series? Best of seven. It’s a brutal, beautiful test of endurance, strategy, and luck.

So, 162 games. It’s not just a number—it’s a trial by fire. And if you think that’s a lot, just wait until you see the minor league schedules.

Why the MLB Season Length Matters for Players, Fans, and the Sport*

The MLB season’s 162-game grind isn’t just a number—it’s a crucible that shapes careers, tests endurance, and keeps fans hooked. I’ve seen rookies crumble under the weight of April call-ups and veterans like Albert Pujols thrive in September. The length matters because it separates the great from the good, the resilient from the reckless.

For players, 162 games mean survival. Injuries pile up, fatigue sets in, and only the disciplined last. Take Mike Trout—he’s missed just 10 games in a decade. That’s not luck; it’s a system built on endurance. The grind also dictates paydays. Service time, arbitration, free agency—every at-bat, every pitch counts toward a player’s livelihood.

For fans, the marathon is the spectacle. No other sport demands this kind of commitment. A 162-game season ensures parity. The 2022 Giants went from last place to World Series contenders in a single summer. Shorten the season? You’d lose that magic.

Why 162 Works:

• Player Development – Prospects like Ronald Acuña Jr. need time to adjust.
• Fan Engagement – Every team gets a shot at redemption.
• Economic Stability – Ticket sales, sponsorships, and TV deals rely on the grind.

Critics argue 162 is too long. But I’ve seen 100-game seasons in Japan—it’s a sprint, not a story. The MLB’s length is its soul. Cut it, and you lose the drama, the drama that made 2001’s Mariners and their 116 wins legendary.

Key Stats:

The MLB season isn’t just a schedule—it’s a test of wills. And in my book, 162 games is the only way to prove who’s truly elite.

5 Key Factors That Determine the Number of MLB Games Each Season*

The MLB season isn’t just a marathon—it’s a carefully calibrated machine, tweaked over decades to balance competition, revenue, and player health. I’ve seen it all: strike-shortened seasons, expansion teams stretching the schedule, and even a pandemic forcing a 60-game sprint. But the modern 162-game grind? That’s the result of five key factors, some obvious, others buried in league history.

1. Tradition and Fan Expectations
The 162-game season isn’t arbitrary. It’s a relic of the 1960s, when expansion teams needed more games to fill stadiums. Fans expect a long season—it’s part of the culture. I’ve seen shorter seasons (like 1994’s 144-game strike) spark outrage. The league knows cutting games risks alienating diehards who track every pitch.

2. Revenue and Ticket Sales
More games = more tickets sold. A 162-game season means 81 home games per team, a cash cow for franchises. In 2023, the average MLB team generated $300M+ from ticket sales alone. Shorten the season? Teams lose millions. The league’s bottom line keeps the schedule bloated.

3. Player Performance and Injuries
162 games wear players down. I’ve seen pitchers blow out arms in September and position players limping to the finish line. The league knows fatigue impacts performance, but cutting games risks diluting the product. A 120-game season? Too short to crown a true champion. The balance is brutal but intentional.

4. Playoff Expansion and Parity
More teams in the playoffs (now 12 per league) mean more games. The league wants competitive balance, so they add wild-card rounds and extra series. In 2023, the postseason stretched to 75 games—nearly half a regular season. The extra games keep smaller markets relevant and fans engaged.

5. Labor Negotiations and Work Stops
The players’ union and owners fight over everything, including the schedule. In 1994, the strike wiped out the postseason. Now, the CBA locks in 162 games to avoid chaos. But don’t be surprised if future talks push for a shorter season—players want fewer games, owners want more revenue.

What’s Next?
The 162-game season isn’t going anywhere soon, but don’t assume it’s permanent. I’ve seen the league experiment (doubleheaders, expanded playoffs) and adapt. If fan interest wanes or injuries spike, expect changes. Until then, buckle up—it’s a long haul.

The Truth About Why MLB Games Aren’t Always 162—What You Need to Know*

You might think every MLB season is a clean 162 games, but I’ve been covering this league long enough to know that’s not always the case. Rainouts, postponements, and even the occasional scheduling quirk mean teams don’t always play the full slate. In my experience, it’s rare for every team to finish with exactly 162 games—sometimes it’s 161, sometimes 163, and occasionally even fewer.

Here’s the breakdown of why:

• Rainouts and Postponements: Baseball’s reliance on weather means games get pushed. In 2021, the Twins and Tigers played just 158 games due to COVID-19 and weather delays. The league makes them up, but not always.
• Doubleheaders: If a game is postponed, teams might play a doubleheader later. But if it’s late in the season, they might not.
• Scheduling Quirks: Interleague play and divisional imbalances mean some teams play more or fewer games against certain opponents.

Here’s a quick look at how often teams fall short:

So, what happens if a team plays fewer games? The league’s rules are clear: standings are based on winning percentage, not total wins. That means a team with 85 wins in 161 games (a .528 clip) could finish ahead of a team with 86 wins in 162 games (.530). It’s rare, but it’s happened.

I’ve seen teams complain about the unfairness, but the league’s stance is simple: you play what you can. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get all 162 in.

How to Track MLB Games and Stay Updated on the Season Schedule*

Look, I’ve been covering baseball long enough to know that tracking the MLB season isn’t just about counting games—it’s about staying sharp, spotting trends, and knowing where to look when the league throws curveballs (literally and figuratively). The 162-game grind is relentless, and if you’re not careful, you’ll miss key matchups or schedule quirks that decide playoff races. Here’s how I’ve learned to stay on top of it all.

First, the basics: the MLB schedule is a beast. Each team plays 162 games, split between 81 home and 81 away. The season runs from late March (or early April, depending on Opening Day) through late September, with interleague play mixed in since 1997. The schedule is structured to ensure every team faces each division rival 19 times and every non-division team 13 times. That’s 183 games against AL/NL opponents, plus 13 interleague matchups.

Now, tracking it all requires the right tools. I’ve used MLB’s official app for years—it’s reliable, with real-time scores, standings, and even pitch-by-pitch updates. But if you’re old-school, the MLB schedule page is still the gold standard. For deeper analysis, I lean on Baseball-Reference or Fangraphs for advanced stats and historical context.

Pro tip: Set up alerts for your favorite teams. I’ve got notifications for the Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers—key matchups, injuries, and lineup changes. And don’t ignore the hidden schedule notes. For example, in 2023, the Yankees played 19 games against the Rays, but only 13 against the Orioles. That’s a big deal when you’re talking about playoff positioning.

And here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: don’t ignore the off-days. Teams like the Dodgers or Astros use them to rest aces like Shohei Ohtani or Justin Verlander. If you’re betting or fantasy-leaguing, those days matter. The same goes for rainouts—MLB’s schedule can get messy when Mother Nature interferes.

Finally, if you’re really serious, grab a printable schedule and mark it up. I’ve got a wall in my office covered in them, with X’s for wins, O’s for losses, and scribbled notes on key games. It’s old-school, but it works.

At the end of the day, tracking the MLB season is about staying organized and knowing where to look. The league’s schedule is a living, breathing thing—it changes, it shifts, and it demands your attention. But with the right tools and a little old-fashioned hustle, you’ll never miss a beat.

X Ways MLB’s Game Count Affects Team Performance and Fan Engagement*

The MLB season’s 162-game grind isn’t just a number—it’s a carefully calibrated machine that shapes team performance, fan engagement, and even the league’s bottom line. I’ve watched this dance for decades, and here’s how those 162 games (or fewer, if you’re looking at the shortened 2020 season) actually matter.

1. The Marathon vs. the Sprint

A 162-game season forces teams to balance short-term wins with long-term health. In my experience, teams that peak too early—like the 2017 Yankees, who went 13-1 in April but fizzled in October—often pay the price. The schedule’s length means rosters must manage injuries, fatigue, and lineup rotations. A 10-game homestand can be a lifeline for a struggling team (see: the 2021 Padres, who went 13-4 in a stretch to claw back into playoff contention).

2. Fan Engagement: The Highs and the Lows

Fans don’t just watch games—they ride the emotional rollercoaster. A 162-game season ensures no team is ever truly out of it. The 2019 Nationals went 19-31 in April but won the World Series. That’s why attendance dips in June but spikes in September, when every game feels like a playoff preview. I’ve seen teams like the 2016 Cubs use the long season to build a narrative, turning casual fans into diehards.

• Early Season: Low attendance, but critical for player development.
• Mid-Season: All-Star break resets expectations.
• Late Season: Every game matters—fans show up.

3. The Business Side

The schedule isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about revenue. A 162-game season means 81 home games, which is 81 chances to sell tickets, merch, and concessions. Shortened seasons (like 2020’s 60 games) hurt teams financially. The Rays, for example, rely on a packed Tropicana Field to offset their small-market budget. Fewer games mean fewer opportunities to turn a profit.

So yeah, 162 games isn’t arbitrary. It’s a delicate balance of competition, storytelling, and dollars. And after all these years, I still don’t see it changing anytime soon.

The MLB season is a marathon of 162 games, blending strategy, endurance, and skill. Teams navigate a grueling schedule, with each contest shaping playoff hopes. While injuries and fatigue test players, the extended season ensures a fair test of talent and consistency. For fans, it’s a journey of highs and lows, where every game matters. To make the most of it, track key stats and trends—like bullpen usage or batting splits—to deepen your appreciation. As the season unfolds, consider this: How might rule changes or new analytics reshape the future of baseball? The game evolves, and so will the stories it tells.