How Will MLB Rules Changes Impact Baseball Betting for 2023?

The three major rules changes for 2023 have been tested in professional baseball at the minor league level. The betting industry is interested in how the rules change will impact run scoring, help or hinder certain players or teams, or affect the pennant races.

The three major rules changes for 2023 have been tested in professional baseball at the minor league level. The data helps predict what it might mean for MLB in the future.

The new rules will be in place at the start of the 2023 MLB season.

All four infielders are required to have both feet in the infield. Two infielder are needed to be on either side of second base. This rule is in response to the rapid increase in defensive shifts in baseball.

In 2002 the average MLB team averaged 4.62 runs per game. Since 2017, the number has fallen to 4:30 per team. Statcast data shows that launch angle and strikeouts may be the cause of that. MLB has been tinkering with shift bans at various minor league levels. The data suggests that the ban has little impact on how many balls in play become hits. In 2021, with shifts prohibited in the AFL, BABIP was .328. In 2022, it was only two points higher than in previous seasons. It's possible that shift banning may increase BAIPB in MLB.

Don't expect radical changes in run scoring. Players are being encouraged to hit the ball in the air. Until that changes and/or strikeouts decrease, BABIP will probably be similar.

Pitch clock will be introduced in 2023. It will reduce the length of games by 26 minutes. The rule also increases stolen base attempts by 4%. It is also more difficult for pitchers to step off the base freely.

Games will be shorter, but it won't affect bettors. You can expect more stolen base attempts, especially from players who are stolen bases threats.

The first, second and third base will increase in size from 15’ to 18” square on all MLB fields.

Bigger bases will reduce the distance between first and second and between second to third base by 4.1 inches. It has not been shown to increase stolen base attempts or run scoring. Pitcher’s mound set at 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate in 1893. Spitball and other pitches requiring doctoring of the ball are outlawed. Pitching mound lowered from 15 inches to 10 inches in 1969. American League establishes the designated hitter rule in 1973. Catchers are prohibited from blocking the plate without the baseball in 2014. Baserunners must be within arm's reach of a base when sliding on a play. Runner placed on second base to start each half-inning in extra innings in 2020. National League adopts the designate hitter Rule on permanent basis in 2023. Pace of play clock of 20 seconds between pitches.

1893: Pitcher’s mound set at 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate. 1903: Foul strike rule adopted in American League. Spitball and other pitches requiring doctoring of the ball are outlawed. 1969: Pitching mound lowered from 15 inches to 10 inches. 1973: American league establishes the designated hitter rule. 2014: Catchers are prohibited from blocking the plate without the baseball. 2016: Baserunners must be within arm's reach of a base when sliding on a play. 2020: Runner placed on second base to start each half-inning in extra innings. 2023: National League adopts the designate hitter rules permanent.