The 2017 Major League Baseball season began on April 2 with three games, including the 2016 World Series champions Chicago Cubs facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals, the regular season ended in late September. The postseason began on October 3. The World Series began October 24 and Game 7 was played on November 1, in which the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, to capture their first World Series championship in franchise history.
The 88th Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held on July 11 at Marlins Park, the home of the Miami Marlins. For the first time since 2002 when the game ended in a tie, the All Star Game did not determine home field advantage for the World Series. Instead, home field advantage was awarded to the team with the better regular season record. The American League won 2–1 in 10 innings.
After the 2019 season, Mike Fiers alleged that the 2017 Astros used technology to illicitly steal their opponents' signs and relay it to their hitters. The Astros used this method throughout the 2017 season, and part of the 2018 season. MLB and the Astros opened an investigation into this sign stealing allegation. MLB found the Astros used technology to cheat during their 2017 season and suspended Astros' manager A. J. Hinch and Astros' general manager Jeff Luhnow for one year; the Astros fired Luhnow and Hinch the same day. Alex Cora, who was the Astros bench coach in 2017 and the Red Sox manager from 2018 to 2019, parted ways with the Red Sox after the scandal broke.
Schedule As has been the case since 2013, all teams played their four division opponents 19 times each for a total of 76 games. They played six or seven games against each of the other ten same-league opponents for a total of 66 games, and 20 inter-league games. The primary inter-league match-ups were AL East vs. NL Central, AL Central vs. NL West, and AL West vs. NL East. Teams also played four games against a designated interleague rival.
On March 9, it was announced that the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals would play a game at the minor league BB&T Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on August 20. The game coincided with the Little League World Series, held annually in nearby South Williamsport, and was exclusively attended by Little League players and their families.
Effect of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma As a consequence of Hurricane Harvey damaging the Houston area, the three-game Lone Star Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros from August 29 to 31 was moved from Minute Maid Park to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Although the Astros were the designated home team, they wore their away uniforms during the series while the Rangers wore their home uniforms. The Astros returned to Minute Maid Park for a three-game series with the New York Mets, beginning with a split doubleheader on September 2.
The Tampa Bay Rays' three-game set with the New York Yankees from September 11 to 13 was moved from Tropicana Field to Queens' Citi Field due to Hurricane Irma's impending landfall on the Tampa Bay Area.
Irma's damage to South Florida also forced the Miami Marlins' three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers from September 15 to 17 to move from Marlins Park to the Brewers' home field at Miller Park, with the Marlins as the designated home team. Similar to the Rangers–Astros series in Tampa Bay, the Marlins wore their away uniforms as the 'home' team, while the Brewers wore their home uniforms as the 'away' team.
Rule changes In March 2017, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association agreed to seven rule changes. The start of a no-pitch intentional walk, allowing the defensive team's manager to signal a decision to the home plate umpire to intentionally walk the batter. Following the signal of the manager's intention, the umpire will immediately award first base to the batter. This new rule was put into play to speed up the process of game time. A 30-second limit for a manager to decide whether to challenge a play and invoke replay review. When a manager has exhausted his challenges for the game, Crew Chiefs may now invoke replay review for non-home run calls beginning in the eighth inning instead of the seventh inning. Home runs can be reviewed at the crew chief's discretion at any time. A conditional two-minute guideline for Replay Officials to render a decision on replay review, allowing various exceptions. A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders. An addition to Rule 5.07 formalizes an umpire interpretation by stipulating that a pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is at least one runner on base, then such an action will be called as a balk under Rule 6.02(a). If the bases are unoccupied, then it will be considered an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b). An amendment to Rule 5.03 requires base coaches to position themselves behind the line of the coach's box closest to home plate and the front line that runs parallel to the foul line prior to each pitch. Once a ball is put in play, a base coach is allowed to leave the coach's box to signal a player so long as the coach does not interfere with the play.
Furthermore, the collective bargaining agreement that goes in effect this season prohibits any player who makes plays his first game starting in the 2017 season from using tobacco at any time in a stadium, in official interviews, or appearances. Players who had service are not permitted to use tobacco in interviews or appearances, and cannot display any tobacco packages.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Managerial changes General managers Offseason TeamFormer GMReason for leavingNew GMStory/accomplishmentsArizona DiamondbacksDave StewartFiredMike HazenOn October 3, 2016, General Manager Dave Stewart was fired, along with field manager Chip Hale.On October 16, 2016, Mike Hazen agreed to become the Executive Vice President and General Manager.Boston Red SoxMike HazenResignedDave DombrowskiOn October 16, 2016, Mike Hazen agreed to become the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations, assumed the role without making a formal announcement.Minnesota TwinsRob AntonyInterimThad LevineOn November 3, 2016, The Twins hired Thad Levine as their new Senior VP and General Manager. Levine will replace interim GM Rob Antony.
Field managers
Offseason TeamFormer managerReason for leavingNew managerStory/accomplishmentsArizona Diamondbacks Chip Hale Fired Torey Lovullo On October 3, 2016, Chip Hale was fired as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hale finished with a 148–176 record with no playoff appearances in his two seasons as manager.On November 4, 2016, Torey Lovullo was hired as the new manager.Atlanta Braves Fredi González Brian Snitker On October 11, 2016, Brian Snitker was named as the new manager of the Atlanta Braves after completing the 2016 season as the interim manager. Snitker took over for Fredi González on May 17, 2016, and finished the season with a 59–65 record.Chicago White Sox Robin Ventura Resigned Rick Renteria At the conclusion of the 2016 regular season, Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura resigned.On October 3, 2016, Rick Renteria became the team's new manager. Ventura finished his five seasons in Chicago with a record of 375–435 with no playoff appearances.Colorado Rockies Walt Weiss Bud Black On October 3, 2016, Walt Weiss resigned as manager of the Colorado Rockies after four years without a winning record or a playoff appearance. Weiss finished with a 283–365 record during his tenure.On November 6, 2016, the Rockies announced they were hiring Bud Black as manager.
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Jose Altuve (HOU) .346 OPS Mike Trout (LAA) 1.071 HR Aaron Judge (NYY) 52 RBI Nelson Cruz (SEA) 119 R Aaron Judge (NYY) 128 H Jose Altuve (HOU) 204 SB Whit Merrifield (KC) 34
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Carlos Carrasco (CLE)Corey Kluber (CLE)Jason Vargas (KC) 18 L Rick Porcello (BOS) 17 ERA Corey Kluber (CLE) 2.25 K Chris Sale (BOS) 308 IP Chris Sale (BOS) 214.1 SV Álex Colomé (TB) 47 WHIP Corey Kluber (CLE) 0.869
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Charlie Blackmon (COL) .331 OPS Joey Votto (CIN) 1.032 HR Giancarlo Stanton (MIA) 59 RBI Giancarlo Stanton (MIA) 132 R Charlie Blackmon (COL) 137 H Charlie Blackmon (COL) 213 SB Dee Gordon (MIA) 60
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 18 L Tyler Chatwood (COL)Matt Moore (SF)Clayton Richard (SD)Jeff Samardzija (SF) 15 ERA Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 2.31 K Max Scherzer (WSH) 268 IP Jeff Samardzija (SF) 207.2 SV Greg Holland (COL)Kenley Jansen (LAD) 41 WHIP Max Scherzer (WSH) 0.902
Milestones
Batters Madison Bumgarner (SF): Became the first pitcher in Major League history to hit two home runs on Opening Day. Matt Holliday (NYY): Recorded his 2,000th career hit with a single in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles on April 8. He became the 281st player to reach this mark. George Springer (HOU): Hit his Major League-record fourth leadoff homer in the first nine games of a season against the Seattle Mariners on April 11. Trey Mancini (BAL): With his two home runs on April 16 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Mancini tied the Major League rookie home run record with seven home runs in his first 12 career games. He ties the record that was set by Trevor Story (2016) and Dino Restelli (1949). Albert Pujols (LAA): Became the all-time RBI leader for Dominican-born Major Leaguers with his 1,832nd RBI passing Manny Ramirez. He delivered in the third inning with a single against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 23. Hit his 600th career home run against the Minnesota Twins on June 3 and became the first member of the 600 home run club to earn his membership with a grand slam. He became the ninth player to reach this mark. Miguel Cabrera (DET): Recorded his 450th career home run in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians on May 2. He became the 38th player to reach this mark. Aaron Judge (NYY): Became the youngest player in Major League history to hit 13 home runs in his team's first 26 games with his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 3. Set the Yankee franchise rookie record for home runs by hitting his 30th on July 7 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He broke the record that was set by Joe DiMaggio in 1936. He also joins Mark McGwire as the only rookies in Major League history to reach 30 home runs before the All-Star break. Set the Major League rookie record for home runs in a season by hitting his 50th of the year on September 25 against the Kansas City Royals. He broke McGwire's record that was set in 1987. Jose Reyes (NYM): Recorded his 2,000th career hit with a single in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels on May 20. He became the 282nd player to reach this mark. Recorded his 500th career stolen base in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres on July 24. He became the 39th player to reach this mark. Giancarlo Stanton (MIA): Became the franchise leader in RBIs recording his 579th with a home run on June 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He broke the record that was held by Mike Lowell. Set the franchise record for home runs in a season by hitting his 43rd home run in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants on August 14. He broke the record that was set by Gary Sheffield in 1996. Scooter Gennett (CIN):