The league that wins the All-Star Game will no longer have home field advantage in the World Series, which will now go to the pennant-winning team with the better regular-season record, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The new rule was part of a new five-year collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the players’ union that will run through the 2021 season.
The home field advantage rule had been in place since 2003, when owners unanimously approved the change after the fiasco of the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee, which was declared a 7–7 tie after 11 innings after both teams ran out of pitchers.
The American League won the All-Star Game last season, giving the Indians home field advantage in the World Series after they won the AL pennant. The Indians blew a 3–1 series lead to the Cubs and lost Game 7 at home in extra innings.
The two sides also agreed to reduce the minimum stay on the disabled list from 15 days to 10.
– Scooby Axson
