The 2018 Major League Baseball season began on March 29. The regular season ended on October 1, extended a day for tiebreaker games to decide the winners of the National League Central and National League West. The postseason began on October 2. The World Series began on October 23, and ended on October 28 with the Boston Red Sox defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games to win their ninth World Series championship.
The 89th Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held on July 17 at Nationals Park, the home of the Washington Nationals. The American League won, 8–6, in 10 innings.
This was also the last season for August trade waivers.
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 interleague games. The primary interleague match-ups were AL East vs NL East, AL Central vs NL Central, and AL West vs NL West. Since "natural rivalry" matchups were part of the three-year divisional rotation, the schedule format for interleague games was different from previous years. The 20 interleague games each team played two three-game series (one home, one away) against its natural rival (total of six games), two two-game series (one home, one away) against each team for two other opponents (total of eight games), and a single three-game series against each team for the last two (one home, one away; total of six games).
Under the new collective bargaining agreement reached in December 2016, the regular season was extended to 187 days in order to add four additional off-days for all teams. All teams were scheduled to play Opening Day, March 29—the earliest domestic start of a regular season in league history until the 2019 season. The Sunday night game before the All-Star Game was replaced by a single, nationally televised game on the Thursday after the All-Star Game (which for 2018, was played between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs), before all other teams returned from break the next day.
The Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians played a two-game series at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 17 and 18, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres played a three-game series at Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, from May 4 to 6. The 2018 MLB Little League Classic at BB&T Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, coinciding with the Little League World Series, returned to the schedule. It was played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets on August 19.
Rule changes Beginning in the 2018 season, MLB implemented new pace of play rules, which include limiting the number of mound visits for each team to six per nine innings. Teams will receive an additional visit for every extra inning played.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Managerial changes
General managers
Offseason TeamFormer GMReason For LeavingNew GMStory/Accomplishments Atlanta Braves John Coppolella Resigned Alex Anthopoulos John Coppolella resigned from the Braves on October 2, 2017, because of a Major League Baseball investigation regarding signing bonuses of international prospects. On November 12, 2017, Alex Anthopoulos was hired as the new general manager of the team. On November 21, 2017, Coppolella was banned for life from baseball as a result of the investigation. The Braves were penalized with a loss of 13 prospects and a 2018 Rule 4 draft (third round) pick, and the league levied other penalties against the team for the next two international signing periods.
In-season DateTeamFormer GMNew GMReason for leavingNotes/AccomplishmentsJune 26New York MetsSandy AldersonBrodie Van WagenenLeave of Absence On June 26, 2018, Alderson took a permanent leave of absence due to recurrence of cancer. He was hired as general manager in 2010 and saw the team win the National League Pennant in 2015. On October 28, 2018, after having three interims finish the rest of the season, the Mets agreed to have former agent Brodie Van Wagenen be their 13th general manager in franchise history.September 24San Francisco GiantsBobby EvansTBDFired The Giants fired Bobby Evans after almost four seasons as general manager. The Giants made the playoffs in 2016, but are since taking a major league-best record into the All-Star break that year.
Field managers Offseason TeamFormer managerReason for leavingNew managerStory/AccomplishmentsDetroit TigersBrad AusmusContract not renewedRon GardenhireThe Tigers announced on September 22, 2017, that Ausmus' contract would not be renewed. Ausmus compiled a record in four years as manager with one playoff appearance. The Tigers hired former Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on October 19, 2017. As the Twins' manager from 2002 to 2014 he compiled a record of , and in six post-season appearances. He also won AL Manager of the Year in 2010.Philadelphia PhilliesPete MackaninReassignedGabe KaplerIt was announced on October 1, 2017, that Mackanin would be removed as manager; however, he managed the final three games of the 2017 season. Mackanin had a record of in his two and a half seasons as manager with no playoff appearances. It also was announced that he would remain with the organization as a special assistant to the general manager. On October 29, 2017, the Phillies announced the hire of former Dodgers' Director of Development Gabe Kapler. He had no previous major league managerial or coaching experience.New York MetsTerry CollinsRetiredMickey CallawayCollins announced on October 1, 2017, that he would retire after the last game of the season and move to the Mets' front office. Collins finished with a record in seven years with club, with two playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016, in which they lost to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series and lost the Wild Card to the San Francisco Giants in the following season. The Mets named Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway as their new manager on October 22, 2017. Callaway had no previous managerial experience.Boston Red SoxJohn FarrellFiredAlex CoraFarrell was fired on October 11, 2017. Farrell during his five years as manager compiled a record and earned three division titles in 2013, 2016 and 2017. He led the Red Sox to the 2013 World Series title. Houston Astros bench coach Alex Cora was named manager on October 22, 2017, and formally assumed the role after the Astros' win in the 2017 World Series. He had no previous managerial experience.Washington NationalsDusty BakerContract not renewedDave MartinezThe Nationals announced on October 20, 2017, that Baker would not be returning for the 2018 season. Baker led the Nationals to the postseason in each of his two seasons with the club but couldn't get past the NLDS. The Nationals were under Baker. The Nationals hired Dave Martinez to be their new manager on October 29, 2017. Martinez was previously the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs and had no managerial experience.New York YankeesJoe GirardiAaron BooneThe Yankees announced on October 26, 2017, that Girardi would not return for the 2018 season. Girardi led the Yankees to three division titles and one World Series championship during his ten years of managing the club. The Yankees were under Girardi. On December 1, 2017, former professional baseball player Aaron Boone was hired as the team's new manager. He had no previous coaching or managerial experience.
In-season TeamFormer managerInterim managerReason for leavingNew managerStory/accomplishmentsCincinnati RedsBryan PriceJim RigglemanFired David Bell Price was fired on April 19 after starting the season with a record. In four seasons, Price finished with a record with no playoff appearances. Bench coach Jim Riggleman was selected as the interim manager. His previous managerial experience included stints with the Padres, Cubs, Mariners, and Nationals. He had been a manager in the Reds' minor league system since 2012. On October 21, 2018, the Reds named David Bell as their new manager, signing him to a three-year contract with a club option for 2022.St. Louis CardinalsMike MathenyMike ShildtMike Shildt Matheny was fired on July 14 after starting the season with a record. In seven seasons, Matheny finished with a record with four playoff appearances, winning the National League pennant in 2013. Hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were also dismissed, and bench coach Mike Shildt was named interim manager. Shildt had no major league managing experience but had managed in the Cardinals minor league system. On August 28, Shildt's "interim" title was dropped as he was named the new Cardinals manager.Texas RangersJeff BanisterDon WakamatsuChris Woodward Banister was fired on September 21 after four seasons with a record of record. Banister finished in first place in his first two seasons as manager and amassed a in the playoffs. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu was selected as the interim manager. On November 2, it was announced that Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Chris Woodward would be named the Rangers manager.
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Mookie Betts (BOS) .346 OPS Mike Trout (LAA) 1.088 HR Khris Davis (OAK) 48 RBI J. D. Martinez (BOS) 130 R Mookie Betts (BOS)Francisco Lindor (CLE) 129 H Whit Merrifield (KC) 192 SB Whit Merrifield (KC) 45
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Blake Snell (TB) 21 L Dylan Bundy (BAL)James Shields (CWS) 16 ERA Blake Snell (TB) 1.89 K Justin Verlander (HOU) 290 IP Corey Kluber (CLE) 215.0 SV Edwin Díaz (SEA) 57 WHIP Justin Verlander (HOU) 0.902
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Christian Yelich (MIL) .326 OPS Christian Yelich (MIL) 1.000 HR Nolan Arenado (COL) 38 RBI Javier Baez (CHC) 111 R Charlie Blackmon (COL) 119 H Freddie Freeman (ATL) 191 SB Trea Turner (WSH) 43
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Jon Lester (CHC)Miles Mikolas (STL)Max Scherzer (WSH) 18 L Tanner Roark (WSH) 15 ERA Jacob deGrom (NYM) 1.70 K Max Scherzer (WSH) 300 IP Max Scherzer (WSH) 220.2 SV Wade Davis (COL) 43 WHIP Max Scherzer (WSH) 0.911
Milestones
Batters Matt Davidson (CWS): Became the fourth player in the live-ball era (since 1920) to hit three home runs on opening day joining Dmitri Young (2005), Tuffy Rhodes (1994), and George Bell (1988). Davidson accomplished this feat on March 29 against the Kansas City Royals. George Springer (HOU): With his Opening Day lead-off home run on March 29 against the Texas Rangers, Springer became the first player in Major League history to lead off back-to-back seasons with a home run. Joe Panik (SF): Became the first player in Major League history to hit a home run in consecutive 1–0 victories by his team on March 30. Became the first player in Major League history to score his team's first three runs in a season off solo home runs. This was during the team's home opener on April 3. Adrián Beltré (TEX): With a second-inning double on April 5 against the Oakland Athletics, Beltré became the all-time leader in hits by a player from Latin America. Beltré, from the Dominican Republic, passed Rod Carew of Panama with the 3,054th hit in his career. With a fourth-inning double on June 13 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Beltré became the all-time leader in hits by a non-U.S. native, passing Ichiro Suzuki. Recorded his 1,500th run scored in the sixth inning on July 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He became the 73rd player to reach this mark. Joe Mauer (MIN): Recorded his 2,000th career hit with a single in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox on April 12. He became the 287th player to reach this mark. Miguel Cabrera (DET): Recorded his 550th career double in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles on April 19. He became the 30th player to reach this mark. Ryan Braun (MIL):