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MIKE BROWN: New balanced MLB schedule affecting divisional races

By Mike Brown Mahoning Matters
Cleveland Guardians center fielder Will Brennan (17) rounds the bases on his solo home run in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.
Cleveland Guardians center fielder Will Brennan (17) rounds the bases on his solo home run in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. David Richard USA TODAY Sports

The new balanced schedule in Major League Baseball went into effect this season.

In short, the balanced schedule means that teams throughout the league will play every opponent in MLB — be it in the American League or National League opponent — in at least one series during the 2023 campaign.

At first glance, one wouldn’t think that would make much difference in a team’s record.

But apparently it does.

It’s been a tough year for the American League Central

But in the American League Central, which traditionally, has been one of the weaker divisions in the league.

AL Central teams, in which the Cleveland Guardians reside, have benefited in the past from playing more games against other weaker teams from their own division.

Now, with the balanced schedule, they are playing fewer games against divisional opponents and more matchups against teams from traditionally stronger divisions.

What’s the future of baseball’s balanced schedule?

Depending on whether a team is in the American or National League, they will continue to play a 162-game regular-season schedule. However, they will play 81 games within their own league (American or National) and 81 games against the other league.

A check of this week’s standings shows that no teams in the five-member AL Central sports a winning record.

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the balanced schedule affects the respective divisional playoff races throughout the summer.

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This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 4:00 AM.