THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: MLB got it right with new scheduling philosophy

Just a couple of days ago, we discussed the barrage of rule changes coming to Major League Baseball.

As you go down that list — pitch clock, no shifts, limit on throws to first base, etc. — it seems like we’re about to see a different game.

Certainly shorter ones, if the tests in various minor leagues have provided an indication.

But wait …

MLB also has thrown another huge change into the mix for 2023.

The schedule, as we’ve come to know it, was summarily tossed into a dumpster.

When I saw the new schedule and how it will be implemented, I instantly thought: Seattle having to play the Astros 13 times instead of 19.

I like it.

Of course, a broader look at the schedule and why MLB jumped at it has very little to do with seeing the Astros almost more often than you digestive system can handle.

Nope, the big picture here is about addressing two things …

First, let’s make sure that every team (and its stars) will visit your ballpark at least once every two years.

Second, why not try to make these battles for six wild-card spots, um … fair?

IT ONLY makes sense to junk the unbalanced schedule, especially now that the American and National leagues are just names — and not real identities.

The mystery of teams who have never played each other facing off in the World Series is long gone.

Since that notion belongs to history, why not schedule more interleague games — and let fans come out to see some of the stars that have been mostly available on TV?

Jayson Stark wrote a great piece for The Athletic on the schedule shift, and noted that MLB is finally following sports like the NBA, which go all out to promote their stars.

In fact, just slightly tongue in cheek, Jayson summed up MLB’s strategy in two words: Shohei Ohtani.

And then 10 more: “He’s coming to play against the team you root for.”

Stark also tossed out the name of a certain Seattle center fielder, letting fans know he’ll visit every city in the major leagues within two seasons.

Here’s how the schedule will work …

Teams will play 52 games against teams in their own division (13 against each) rather than the 76 total we’ve gotten tired of seeing over the past few years.

The Mariners now will play 64 games against non-division teams in the American League — home-and-home series with each (either six or seven games depending on the year).

That’s actually not much of a change.

The REAL difference comes with interleague play, with teams locked into 46 games — including the same home-and-home series with their designated rival.

That leaves 42 games still to get on the docket, and this is where it gets to be fun.

HERE IS Stark’s take on the missing 42 games, and I completely agree with him …

“Those games come from what we’re declaring is the most dramatic scheduling change in the history of this sport.

“You know those remaining 14 teams in the other league? Your team will now be matched up against every darned one of them, three games apiece, every year, for the first time in the modern era.

“So, if Julio Rodríguez doesn’t play in your town this season, he’ll stop by next season.

“It’s a beautiful thing.

“There used to be 19 or 20 interleague games a year. Now MLB will more than double that. And in this case, more actually is more.”

Stark’s declaration that this is the most dramatic scheduling change in the history of the sport is probably correct.

Only the initial decision to play any interdivision games at all comes close.

Speaking of drama …

We mentioned that the second reason for changing the schedule was to let teams aiming for wild-card spots fight on a more even playing field.

Team in the AL East (almost all big spenders) tend to chew each other up while playing 19 games against each division foe.

These thing are cyclical, and maybe the balance of power will shift, but at the moment the AL Central is the weakest division – so a 90-win team in the Central isn’t necessarily equal to a 90-win Tampa Bay.

Playing less division games and more against teams throughout the league should tend to even that up a bit.

This entire schedule change is a winner for MLB, as are curiosities like the Giants playing in New York on opening day for the first time since 1956 — and at Yankee Stadium for the first time … ever.

I love every bit of this, and I suspect most fans will agree.

MLB can trip on its shoelaces from time to time, but the suits in charge got this one right.

How about that?

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”