It's opening day for Major League Baseball and with the new season comes new and revamped rules aimed at accelerating game-play and boosting fan interest in the game.
Of the changes, the switch-up in pitching time is perhaps the most significant. The pitch clock has been shortened to 15 seconds when bases are empty and 20 seconds when runners are on in order to speed up the game.
Fans and analysts alike have expressed concern that the change could increase the number of injuries in pitchers around the league.
Other notable changes include a defensive set-up that requires two outfielders to be on either side of second-base and expanding the size of bases.
Fans will have plenty of opportunity to watch the new rules in effect on opening day as there are 15 games slated today.
Opening Day Games
(All times ET)
Braves at Nationals, 1:05 pm
Giants at Yankees, 1:05 pm
Orioles at Red Sox, 2:10 pm
Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 pm
Tigers at Rays, 3:10 pm
Phillies at Rangers, 4:05 pm
Blue Jays at Cardinals, 4:10 pm
Mets at Marlins, 4:10 pm
Pirates at Reds, 4:10 pm
Twins at Royals, 4:10 pm
White Sox at Astros, 7:08 pm
Rockies at Padres, 9:40 pm
Angels at Athletics, 10:07 pm
Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 10:10 pm
Guardians at Mariners, 10:10 pm
—----------------
The changes to the game are pretty significant for this upcoming season and it will be interesting to see what ramifications they have.
The most talked about person in the NBA isn't even in the NBA. FHM Magazine's Nick Dimengo discusses the media firestorm surrounding Lavar Ball and his increasingly outspoken comments about his son's team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Chris Heck, president of business operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, discusses the NBA playing a game in London. He also talks the league's jump into esports.
The Philadelphia 76ers' President of Business Operations, Chris Heck, says that the NBA is a "truly international league."
The first tip is to not have an ego, "accept what you're not good at, and get help with those things."
2017 was not an easy year for Under Armour, as the stock fell over 50%. Jim Mollica, Head of Global Consumer Engagement and Digital Marketing at Under Armour, discusses how the company is using technology to revitalize the brand.
CEO and Founder of Chat Sports James Yoder talks Trump and the thrilling NCAA Football national championship. Yoder says some fans were delayed getting into the stadium by as much as 45 minutes thanks to the President's presence. Traffic also came to a standstill in downtown Atlanta.
College football championships kick off Monday evening. Alabama's Crimson Tide is taking on the Georgia Bulldogs. Last week's semifinals achieved one of cable history's highest viewerships, and ESPN saw double digit audience growth year-over-year. ThePostGame.com Senior Editor Jeff Eisenband and FiveThirtyEight's Senior Sportswriter Neil Paine explain their expectations for the final.
Professional Bull Riders is celebrating its 25th season with a huge event at Madison Square Garden January 5th. Sean Gleason, CEO of Professional Bull Riders, and two-time World Champion bull rider J.B. Mauney, aka "the John Wayne of PBR", join Cheddar to discuss the fast-growing sport.
Kalanick sells Uber shares, and Apple admits vulnerability. Plus Michael Wolff's controversial book "Fire and Fury" hits shelves today, and the east coast digs out from the "Bomb Cyclone."
Is there trouble in paradise for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft? New reports out of ESPN chronicle a power struggle between Brady and his head coach. Nick Dimengo, Senior Editor at FHM Magazine, joins Cheddar to discuss how ego could impact the future of what some call America's most powerful team.
