The 2024 Major League Baseball season (MLB) began on March 20–21 with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres held in Seoul, South Korea, before the regular season proper run from March 28 to September 30. The 94th All-Star Game was played on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, with the American League winning, 5–3. The postseason then began on October 1 and concluded with Game 5 of the World Series on October 30. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Texas Rangers from the season. During the offseason, the Oakland Athletics were approved by MLB owners to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028. It was also the team's final season in Oakland as they left the Oakland Coliseum to temporarily play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for three years.
Only two teams were unable to complete the entire 162-game regular season schedule, as the game between the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 29 was scrapped due to rain and never made up, owing to scheduling constraints and the game being inconsequential to the playoffs. It would be the first time since that a few teams played more regular season games than the others. This cancellation led to a scenario where had the Astros and Mets both won their respective pennants, the Mets would have home field advantage by a half game. Since the Astros held the superior head to head record, this means that the cancellation could have potentially decided home field advantage in the World Series (as if the game was played and the Astros won, the Astros would have held the advantage). However, neither team would make the title series, making the potential moot.
It was also the first season since that no team won at least 100 games (not counting the shortened 2020 season).
With their finish of 41–121, the Chicago White Sox achieved the record for most losses in the Modern Era (since 1901), surpassing the New York Mets of 1962.
Schedule On July 13, 2023, Major League Baseball released its 2024 schedule. There were 162 games scheduled for all teams. As has been the case since 2023, each team was scheduled to play 13 games against their division rivals, totaling 52 games. Each team would play six games against six opponents and seven games against four opponents in the same league for a total of 64 games. Each team would also play 46 interleague games, including a four-game home-and-home series against their designated interleague rival.
As part of the MLB World Tour, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres opened the season at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 20–21, in the first-ever MLB regular season games played in South Korea. Opening Day in North America occurred on March 28, with all but four clubs in action with the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies opening on March 29 because of a postponement due to inclement weather. Other MLB World Tour series include the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City on April 27–28, the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at London Stadium in London on June 8–9, and the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays in spring training at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo on March 9–10.
The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals played at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama on June 20, in a game honoring the Negro leagues and Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, who was supposed to attend the game, but passed away two days before. The 94th All-Star Game was played on July 16, hosted by the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, with the American League prevailing, 5–3. The MLB Little League Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania was played on August 18 with the New York Yankees taking on the Detroit Tigers, in which the Tigers would walk it off in the 9th to win 3-2.
Rule changes On December 21, 2023, MLB announced a set of rule changes to take effect in 2024. Following a dead ball, the pitch clock will restart as soon as the pitcher receives a new ball from the umpire (previously the clock restarted once the pitcher entered the circle around the pitcher's mound). When runners are on base, the pitch clock's starting time will decrease from 20 seconds to 18 seconds. Visits to the mound will be reduced from five to four per game. Teams will receive an extra mound visit in the ninth inning if they have used four prior to that point (or in the case of a called game the final inning by the losing team). The runner's lane will be widened to the cut of the infield grass in fair territory. The distance between the foul line and the infield grass will be between 18 and 24 inches in all ballparks, with a grace period for non-compliant parks to make modifications. The runner's actions are deemed legal if running in fair territory provided both feet are on or touching the dirt. A pitcher who warms up at the start of an inning must face at least one batter; he may not be replaced during or after warmups unless injured.
Spring training Spring training for the 2024 season began in late February and lasted through most of March. Teams began workouts and practice for spring training beginning in mid-February. Pitchers and catchers reported first, followed by position players a few days later.
Prior to the start of the regular season, each team played between 27 and 34 spring training games (with the exception of the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, who played a shortened spring training of 21 and 22 games respectively, due to their regular season games in Seoul), beginning on February 22. There were several times during spring training when a team had two different squads playing different teams simultaneously. In addition to spring training games, teams occasionally played exhibition games with non-MLB teams, such as Minor League Baseball teams, independent teams, or college teams. These exhibition games are not counted in spring training standings. Spring training ended on March 26, two days before the Opening Day.
During spring training in 2024, MLB launched a new initiative called MLB Spring Breakout. Each organization puts together a team of their best prospects to compete against another organization's prospects from March 14 to March 17.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
The postseason began on October 1 and ended on October 30 with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series in five games.
Bracket
Managerial changes General managers Off-season TeamFormer GMReason For LeavingNew GMNotes Chicago White SoxRick HahnFiredChris Getz On August 22, 2023, Hahn and Executive Vice President Kenny Williams, who both held their previous titles since 2012, were fired. On August 31, Chris Getz was named the new general manager and senior vice president of the team.Boston Red SoxBrian O'HalloranReassignedCraig BreslowOn September 14, 2023, O'Halloran accepted the position of senior vice president of baseball operations with the team. On October 25, Breslow was hired to the position of Chief Baseball Officer, which encompasses the duties of general manager.New York MetsBilly EpplerResignedDavid StearnsOn October 5, 2023, Eppler resigned as general manager as a result of MLB opening an investigation into his potentially improper use of the injured list. On October 1, Stearns was hired to the position of President of Baseball Operations, which encompasses the duties of general manager.Miami MarlinsKim NgPeter BendixOn October 16, 2023, Ng resigned as general manager after three years. The Marlins made one postseason appearance during her tenure. On November 5, Bendix was hired by the Miami Marlins to be their President of Baseball Operations.Tampa Bay RaysPeter BendixHired by the Miami MarlinsN/AOn November 5, 2023, Bendix was hired by the Miami Marlins to be their President of Baseball Operations, which encompasses the duties of general manager.
Field managers Offseason TeamFormer ManagerInterim ManagerReason For LeavingNew ManagerNotesSan Francisco GiantsGabe KaplerKai CorreaFiredBob MelvinOn September 29, 2023, the Giants fired Kapler. After four seasons with the team, he compiled a record of and made the playoffs once in 2021. Bench coach Kai Correa was named interim manager for the final three games of the 2023 season. Melvin was hired on October 25. This will be his fifth managerial position, previously managing in Seattle, Arizona, Oakland, and San Diego, compiling a lifetime managerial record of .New York MetsBuck ShowalterN/A Carlos MendozaOn October 1, 2023, Showalter announced he would not return to manage the Mets for the 2024 season. According to team owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler, the Mets informed Showalter that they did not plan to bring him back for next season, even though he had one year left on his contract. He compiled a record of in two seasons with the team with one playoff appearance. On November 13, Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza was named the new manager of the team.Los Angeles AngelsPhil NevinOption not picked upRon WashingtonOn October 2, 2023, the Angels announced they would not be picking up Nevin's option for 2024. After taking over as manager in June 2022, he compiled a record of with no playoff appearances. Washington was hired on November 8. This will be his second managerial position, previously managing Texas from 2007 to 2014, going and winning the AL pennant in back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011.Cleveland GuardiansTerry FranconaRetiredStephen VogtOn October 3, 2023, Francona announced he was stepping away as manager of the Guardians. In 11 seasons with Cleveland, he compiled a record of with six playoff appearances, three AL Central division titles, and a World Series appearance. Vogt was hired on November 6. This will be his first managerial position.San Diego PadresBob MelvinHired by the San Francisco GiantsMike ShildtMelvin was granted permission from the Padres to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants on October 24, 2023. In his tenure with the Padres, he compiled a record of , with one playoff appearance, advancing to the NLCS in 2022. On November 21, Mike Shildt was named the new manager of the Padres. This will be his second managerial position.Houston AstrosDusty BakerRetiredJoe EspadaOn October 25, 2023, Baker announced his retirement after four seasons with the Astros and 26 years overall as a manager. He finished his tenure with the Astros with a record, winning the 2022 World Series. On November 13, Joe Espada was named the new manager of the team. This is his first managerial position.Chicago CubsDavid RossFiredCraig CounsellOn November 6, 2023, the Cubs fired Ross after four seasons. He finished his tenure with a record, with one playoff appearance, winning the NL Central in the 2020 season. Counsell was hired on the same day. As the Brewers manager, he compiled a record of , with three NL Central division titles and five overall playoff appearances.Milwaukee BrewersCraig CounsellContract expiredPat Murphy Counsell's contract with the Brewers expired on November 1, 2023. The Brewers offered a contract extension to Counsell weeks prior before the 53-year-old became a free agent and interviewed with other clubs. Counsell became the manager of the Chicago Cubs on November 6. As the Brewers manager for nine seasons, he compiled a record of , with three NL Central division titles and five overall playoff appearances. On November 15, Pat Murphy was named the new manager of the team. This will be his second managerial position.
In-season Team Former manager Interim manager Reason for leaving New manager Notes Chicago White Sox Pedro Grifol Grady Sizemore Fired Will Venable On August 8, the White Sox fired Grifol. In two seasons as manager of the White Sox, he compiled a record of with no playoff appearances.