MLB announced the full 2027 season schedule on Thursday afternoon, with a few notable changes from past years.Instead of the traditional late March-early April timeframe, next season will open on March 24 with one single game between two yet-to-be-determined teams.That's the earliest date, not including international games, in baseball history.
And after Netflix hosted the recently completed Home Run Derby, it's set to host that exclusive Opening Night game as well, which may not be the best outcome if the league is trying to attract the largest audience, considering the mediocre ratings the derby brought in.HOME RUN DERBY RATINGS CRASH ON NETFLIX, SETS 20-PLUS-YEAR LOW AS QUESTIONS SURFACE ABOUT PROGRAM QUALITYBut perhaps most importantly, this new Opening Day schedule raises some serious questions and potential issues for the league, players and the owners.Namely, what happens if there's a lockout? Particularly one that isn't resolved quickly?A general view of the atmosphere is seen at the Netflix Sports Club at the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pa.
(Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Netflix)Nearly everyone on all sides agrees that baseball, finally, has momentum and growth on its side.Interest is up, ratings are up, attendance is up.
The one thing that could jeopardize it? If baseball misses games.And with the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the owners and MLB Players Association on Dec.
1, that's a very real possibility.The two sides, while seemingly not as far apart as originally feared, are nowhere close to an agreement.Owners have pushed a, frankly laughable, ad campaign out saying the sport needs to "level the field" with a salary cap, all while the $69 million dollar Marlins are 12 games ahead of the $370 million Mets.
As just one example.Players, though, have long said they will never accept a cap system, as it limits their earning potential arbitrarily to protect ownership.MLB STARS ADDRES...