MLB’s 2020 rules changes signal future of the game

The pandemic has allowed a theory that existed only in private to be expressed in public: Baseball itself is the problem. Thus the introduction of the seven-inning doubleheader was not impulsive but part of a growing orthodoxy; the sport that prided itself on not having a clock is now convinced the game is too long for the distracted 21st-century viewer—and for itself.

Through Aug. 25, 60 seven-inning games had been played, and 91.6% were completed in less than three hours; 53% in less than 2 hours, 40 minutes; and 20% have taken less than 2 hours, 22 minutes. As of Aug. 25, the Cardinals had played 19 games, and six of which—or 31%—were seven innings. If it sounds like chaos, it is—and might make a certain point: Of the Cardinals’ six twin bills, the game length of five was 2:33 or less.

If baseball’s objective was to reduce the length of games, the seven-inning option has succeeded.