Major League Baseball teams have another wrinkle to get used to for the 2023 regular season after a change in schedule will force each club to play one another. Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin is looking forward to the change, citing this as a huge positive for the game’s stars.
In previous years, the number of divisional games for each team was set at 76, but it will now decrease to 52, putting that much more of an emphasis on those matchups. The split between those divisional games will be divided evenly on the road and at home.
The Angels will have a geographic rival set for 2023 with the L.A. Dodgers, their usual opponent for the Freeway Series, which has taken place in years past. Nevin and his club will also face their usual American League West opponents and the remainder of the AL.
But now, they are going to see every club, every year. “Yeah, I think it will be fun,” Nevin said.
“I think it’s great for the fans of the game. The National League cities are going to get to see Mike and Shohei and the rest of the guys for every other year in their city.
“Yeah, I do. I do like it, as a matter of fact. You start looking at it, it really hasn’t added much strain to where our travel is or anything like that.
“And I’ve never been one to complain about that anyway. I’m under the normal person out here. We fly first class. We stay in nice places. That stuff doesn’t bother me.
And the fact we get to see other cities and other teams, no, I think it would be great for the game and great for everybody.”
Fans around MLB have been accustomed to the heavily weighted division games which ultimately determine who represents their group heading into the postseason. But the Angels, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers will see a bit less of each other in the AL West.
Phil Nevin loves what the Angels have done this offseason
The Angels announced the signing of utilityman Brandon Drury to a two-year $17 million contract this week, providing them with a plus-bat and a versatile player coming off of a career year.
Nevin expressed his optimism with how the winter has gone for his club considering their difficult 2022.
A healthier roster coming into next year is what the Angels should be focused on as much as anything. The ability to withstand inevitable injuries is what keeps good teams good and allows those teams to continue performing at a high level when the unexpected happens.
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