Axios Sports

Opening Day is here at last, and fans and players alike are about to experience a season unlike any before.

What to watch: MLB implemented four major rule changes this offseason in an effort to decrease the length of games and increase the action.

• Pitch clock: There will be a 30-second timer between batters and 15 or 20 seconds between pitches depending on whether the bases are empty.
• Shift restrictions: In an attempt to increase the batting average on balls in play, defenses must have a minimum of four players on the infield dirt, with at least two on either side of second base.
• Limited pickoffs: Pitchers may only disengage from the rubber twice per at-bat with a man on base. If they try a third time and the pickoff is unsuccessful, the runner advances a base.
• Bigger bases: 15-inch bases have been replaced with 18-inch bases, reducing the distance between first and second (and second and third) by 4.5 inches to promote more steals.

By the numbers: 40 years ago, the average nine-inning MLB game lasted just 2 hours, 36 minutes. But it has crossed the 3-hour mark in eight of the last nine seasons, reaching a peak of 3 hours, 10 minutes in 2021.

• The pitch clock has already shown its efficacy in reversing that trend — first in the minor leagues and then during spring training.
• Games took 2 hours, 35 minutes this spring, which was 26 minutes shorter than last year's average.

State of play: The analytics movement has transformed pro sports. But while it's led to more excitement in, say, football (more passing and less punting), it has robbed baseball of the action that used to be a hallmark of the game.

• Steals disappeared (50-year low in 2021 at 0.46 per game) because it wasn't worth running into an out on the bases when the launch-angle revolution meant the next batter was likelier than ever to hit a homer.
• Hits were taken away by eerily well-positioned defenders who became the bane of many lefties' existence. Thanks in part to the shift (now banned), last year's MLB batting average (.243) was the lowest since 1968.

What they're saying: MLB hopes these new rules will "free up the players to put on a show," as actor Bryan Cranston says in one of MLB's new promo spots.

"This is the game we all want to see. Get the ball, pitch the ball. Keep the defense on their toes. Field like Ozzie [Smith], run like Rickey [Henderson]. So get that shift outta here. Free up the players to put on a show. It's the best game in the world; now, it's even better."

The big picture: While these on-field changes will alter the flow of games, one major off-field change will alter the standings.

• For the first time since interleague play began in 1997, the schedule will be balanced, meaning all 30 teams will play each other at least once.
• As a result, teams will play 46 interleague games (up from 20) and 52 division games (down from 76). This is welcome news for teams in stacked divisions like the AL East.

Go deeper:

• The forgotten history of MLB's pitch clock (The Ringer)
• The shift is dead. Is the two-man outfield next? (The Athletic)

The American League has been dominated recently by the defending champion Astros, who've made at least the ALCS in each of the past six years. Can someone end their reign?

Each team in five words or less…

• Astros (projected record: 89-73): Reigning champs favored to repeat.
• Yankees (89-73): All Rise for captain Judge.
• Blue Jays (88-74): This lineup will score runs.
• Rays (86-76): Fifth straight postseason coming? Probably.
• Angels (84-78): Will Ohtani + Trout finally = October?
• Twins (83-79): Correa is still in Minny!
• Guardians (82-80): Ideal roster for new rules.
• Mariners (82-80): J-Rod's ready for his encore.
• Rangers (82-80): Welcome to Texas, Jacob.
• Red Sox (82-80): Can Chris Sale stay healthy?
• White Sox (80-82): Anything's better than joyless 2022.
• Orioles (76-86): Young, fun, and super talented.
• Royals (72-90): Still a couple years away.
• Tigers (72-90): Miggy's last ride.
• Athletics (69-93): Clock ticking on Vegas move?

Awards predictions:

• MVP: Shohei Ohtani (RHP/DH, Angels)
• Cy Young: Alek Manoah (RHP, Blue Jays)
• ROY: Gunnar Henderson (3B, Orioles)

Divisional previews ... AL East, AL Central, AL West (AP)

The National League has crowned a different champion in each of the past four years — most recently the Phillies after their surprise October run. Will that streak continue?

Each team in five words or less…

• Braves (projected record: 93-69): Young core ready to dominate.
• Padres (92-70): This roster is absolutely stacked.
• Mets (90-72): Cohen spends; can he win?
• Dodgers (88-74): Not favored? A refreshing change.
• Cardinals (87-75): Lars Nootbaar breakout incoming.
• Brewers (86-76): Pitchers are legit. But offense?
• Phillies (85-77): Gained Trea, but lost Rhys.
• Giants (83-79): Lineup could sure use Correa!
• Marlins (80-82): Almost contenders. This the year?
• Diamondbacks (78-84): Bold prediction: wild card team.
• Cubs (77-85): Can Bellinger regain MVP form?
• Pirates (75-87): Oneil Cruz, Statcast superstar.
• Reds (70-92): Sneaky talent, but still rebuilding.
• Nationals (67-95): They'll always have 2019.
• Rockies (67-95): So. Many. Injuries. Bummer.

Awards predictions:

• MVP: Juan Soto (LF, Padres)
• Cy Young: Spencer Strider (RHP, Braves)
• ROY: Corbin Carroll (LF, Diamondbacks)

Divisional previews ... NL East, NL Central, NL West (AP)

Shohei Ohtani will make an estimated $70 million dollars this year both on and off the field, as he attempts to lead the Angels to their first playoff berth since 2014.

Why it matters: That's a record for MLB players, per Sportico, topping Max Scherzer's $59 million in 2022.

By the numbers: Ohtani will make $40 million off endorsements alone from partners in the U.S. and Japan — including New Balance, Fanatics and Seiko.

• That's six times more endorsement money than any other baseball player will earn this year. Bryce Harper is the closest with $7 million.
• Then there's Ohtani's $30 million salary, which is the most ever for an arbitration-eligible player.

Looking ahead: Ohtani could become baseball's first $500 million man when he hits free agency next offseason. All signs point to him breaking teammate Mike Trout's record for the largest contract in MLB history (12 years, $426.5 million).

Fantasy baseball rankings are a pretty good, if imperfect, facsimile of the real thing, and this year it will be fascinating to watch how rule changes affect value.

• Will speedsters be even more valuable as they steal more bases and leg out more infield hits?
• Will pitchers be more dominant with the advent of the pitch clock, or might they tire more quickly due to the pace and make it through fewer innings?
• Will Joey Gallo gain enough additional hits due to the shift being banned that he becomes roster-able again? Only time will tell.

Top 25 hitters: (via FantasyPros consensus rankings)

1. Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF, Braves)
2. Trea Turner (SS, Phillies)
3. Aaron Judge (OF, Yankees)
4. José Ramírez (3B, Guardians)
5. Julio Rodríguez (CF, Mariners)
6. Kyle Tucker (RF, Astros)
7. Juan Soto (LF, Padres)
8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B/DH Blue Jays)
9. Shohei Ohtani (DH, Angels)
10. Mookie Betts (RF/2B, Dodgers)

11-25: Yordan Álvarez (LF/DH, Astros); Freddie Freeman (1B, Dodgers); Mike Trout (CF, Angels); Manny Machado (3B, Padres); Bo Bichette (SS, Blue Jays); Bobby Witt Jr. (SS/3B, Royals); Rafael Devers (3B, Red Sox); Pete Alonso (1B, Mets); Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF, Padres); Paul Goldschmidt (1B, Cardinals); Austin Riley (3B, Braves); Francisco Lindor (SS, Mets); Michael Harris II (CF, Braves); Nolan Arenado (3B, Cardinals); Randy Arozarena (OF, Rays)

Top 25 pitchers:

1. Ohtani (SP, Angels)
2. Corbin Burnes (SP, Brewers)
3. Gerrit Cole (SP, Yankees)
4. Aaron Nola (SP, Phillies)
5. Sandy Alcantara (SP, Marlins)
6. Spencer Strider (SP, Braves)
7. Jacob deGrom (SP, Rangers)
8. Max Scherzer (SP, Mets)
9. Justin Verlander (SP, Mets)
10. Brandon Woodruff (SP, Brewers)

11-25: Shane McClanahan (SP, Rays); Emmanuel Clase (RP, Guardians); Shane Bieber (SP, Guardians); Zack Wheeler (SP, Phillies); Josh Hader (RP, Padres); Julio Urías (SP, Dodgers); Dylan Cease (SP, White Sox); Kevin Gausman (SP, Blue Jays); Luis Castillo (SP, Mariners); Cristian Javier (SP, Astros); Devin Williams (RP, Brewers); Jordan Romano (RP, Blue Jays); Zac Gallen (SP, Diamondbacks); Alek Manoah (SP, Blue Jays); Max Fried (SP, Braves)

Minor league players and MLB struck a tentative deal Wednesday on a historic first collective bargaining agreement.

Why it matters: The deal will more than double every player's salary, ESPN reports.

• Triple-A: $17,500 per year to $35,800
• Double-A: $13,800 to $30,250
• High-A: $11,000 to $27,300
• Single-A: $11,000 to $26,200
• Complex league: $4,800 to $19,800

In related news: A federal judge approved a $185 million settlement on Wednesday in a lawsuit by minor leaguers against MLB for violating federal minimum wage laws.

• On average, the settlement would provide ~$5,000 to $5,500 per player.
• More than 20,000 players are involved in the settlement, notes The Athletic ($).

The best thing about MLB stadiums is that no two are alike. Here is our definitive (read: extremely subjective) ranking of all 30 ballparks.

The top 10: We place a premium on great views, unique features and baseball history.

1. PNC Park (Pirates) … Roberto Clemente Bridge!

2. Fenway Park (Red Sox) … The Green Monster!

3. Wrigley Field (Cubs) .. The ivy!

4. Camden Yards (Orioles) … The warehouse!

5. Oracle Park (Giants) … McCovey Cove!

6. Petco Park (Padres) … The (other) warehouse!

7. Coors Field (Rockies) … The sunsets!

8. Busch Stadium (Cardinals) … The Gateway Arch!

9. Dodger Stadium (Dodgers) … The hexagonal scoreboards!

10. Minute Maid Park (Astros) … The train tracks!

The next 10: There's nothing particularly bad about any of these, and some have really fun features. They just don't quite crack the top of the list.

11. Target Field (Twins)

12. Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)

13. T-Mobile Park (Mariners)

14. Nationals Park (Nationals)

15. Citi Field (Mets)

16. Truist Park (Braves)

17. Great American Ball Park (Reds)

18. Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)

19. Yankee Stadium (Yankees)

20. Globe Life Field (Rangers)

The last 10: Hey, at least they made the top 30!

21. American Family Field (Brewers)

22. loanDepot Park (Marlins)

23. Kauffman Stadium (Royals)

24. Progressive Field (Guardians)

25. Comerica Park (Tigers)

26. Chase Field (Diamondbacks)

27. Angel Stadium (Angels)

28. Rogers Centre (Blue Jays)

29. Tropicana Field (Rays)

30. Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)

All 30 teams are scheduled to play today. If they all do, it'll be the first time since 1968 that every club opens on the same date.

The intrigue: Eight former Cy Young winners (*) are set to take the mound.

• Orioles at Red Sox (2:10pm ET): Kyle Gibson vs. Corey Kluber*
• Brewers at Cubs (2:20pm): Corbin Burnes* vs. Marcus Stroman
• Phillies at Rangers (4:05pm, ESPN+): Aaron Nola vs. Jacob deGrom*
• Twins at Royals (4:10pm): Pablo López vs. Zack Greinke*
• Mets at Marlins (4:10pm): Max Scherzer* vs. Sandy Alcantara*
• Rockies at Padres (9:40pm): Germán Márquez vs. Blake Snell*
• Guardians at Mariners (10:10pm): Shane Bieber* vs. Luis Castillo

The rest:

• Braves at Nationals (1:05pm): Patrick Corbin vs. Max Fried
• Giants at Yankees (1:05pm): Logan Webb vs. Gerrit Cole
• Tigers at Rays (3:10pm): Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Shane McClanahan
• Pirates at Reds (4:10pm): Mitch Keller vs. Hunter Greene
• Blue Jays vs. Cardinals (4:10pm): Alek Manoah vs. Miles Mikolas
• White Sox at Astros (7pm, ESPN): Dylan Cease vs. Framber Valdez
• Angels at Athletics (10:07pm): Shohei Ohtani vs. Kyle Muller
• Diamondbacks at Dodgers (10:10pm): Zac Gallen vs. Julio Urías

Miguel Cabrera, who will retire after this season, recorded MLB's most recent batting Triple Crown in 2012 (BA/HR/RBI).

• Question: Who recorded the most recent pitching Triple Crown (Wins/ERA/SO)?
• Hint: 2020.

Answer at the bottom.

30 years ago today, Charlie Brown finally hit a home run.

Context: Despite his love for baseball, the famous "Peanuts" character wasn't very good, and the neighborhood's dysfunctional team was a long-running gag.

• But after 40 years, Charlie finally went deep in a comic strip on March 30, 1993 — lifting Snoopy, Schroeder, Lucy and the gang to a rare victory.
• The homer came off one of Charlie's nemeses, Royanne Hobbs, who claimed to be the great-granddaughter of the fictional Roy Hobbs from "The Natural."
• The exit velocity and launch angle are still unknown.

The big picture: Baseball was frequently featured in the nearly 18,000 "Peanuts" strips created by the late Charles M. Schulz. American as American can be.

🍿 Watch: Clip from "Charlie Brown's All-Stars" (YouTube)