The 2021 Major League Baseball season began on April 1, while the regular season ended on October 3. The postseason began on October 5. The World Series then began on October 26 and ended on November 2 with the Atlanta Braves defeating the Houston Astros in six games to win their second title since moving to Atlanta.
For the second consecutive year, cross-border travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Toronto Blue Jays to open their home schedule in the United States, with tenures in Dunedin, Florida, and Buffalo, New York. Later, the Canadian government granted an exemption to allow the Blue Jays to return to Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, beginning July 30.
The 91st All-Star Game held on July 13 was supposed to be held at Truist Park, the home of the Braves, but league officials moved the game to Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, following the passage of the Georgia Senate Bill 202 by the Georgia General Assembly, which MLB considered to be restrictive of voting rights.
This was the final season of the Cleveland Indians competing with that nickname. On December 14, 2020, the team announced that they would unveil their new moniker and associated uniform and stadium changes before the 2022 season to replace the 106-year-old nickname. On July 23, the Indians revealed that their new nickname would be the "Guardians", debuting the following season.
Schedule Major League Baseball announced the 2021 regular season schedule on July 9, 2020. A full 162-game season was played. 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 to seven games against each of the other ten same-league opponents for a total of 66 games, and 20 interleague games. For the second season in a row, interleague play will be between corresponding regions (AL East vs. NL East, AL Central vs. NL Central, and AL West vs. NL West) rather than continue the annual rotation. This included the New York Mets and New York Yankees being scheduled to play a series from September 10–12, which featured commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in 2001. The 20 interleague games each team played consisted of 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).
The MLB at Field of Dreams game, originally scheduled for 2020 but canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, featured a matchup between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox at a purpose-built ballpark in Dyersville, Iowa on August 12. The White Sox won the game 9–8 when Tim Anderson hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth.
The 2021 MLB Little League Classic featured a matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and the Cleveland Indians at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on August 22. The Indians won the game 3–0.
Rule changes
On February 9, Major League Baseball announced the following temporary rule changes for the 2020 season would continue in the 2021 regular season: A runner will be placed on second base at the start of every half-inning of any game that goes into extra innings. Doubleheaders will be played as two seven-inning games.
Additionally, the broader use of suspended games was carried over from the 2020 season: If a game cannot continue because of inclement weather and it is not an official game (trailing team has played less than five innings), the game will be declared a suspended game, continuing from the point of interruption instead of completely restarting. If a suspended game resumes with the trailing team having played less than five innings, a normally-scheduled game played after the completion of the suspended game will be seven innings. However, if a game is halted after the fifth inning for a reason that enables it to be a suspended game (like a field issue or equipment failure or if the game was tied when stopped), the game played afterwards retains its nine-inning length. In all cases, a suspended game retains the length (seven or nine innings) that it was scheduled for at the time it started.
An increase of the active roster size to 26 players, originally planned for the 2020 season, took effect. Other changes that had also been planned—a limit of 13 pitchers on active rosters and restrictions on position players pitching—were waived for 2021.
COVID-19 protocols from the 2020 season remain in effect, but may be eased by teams once 85% of their tier-one staff (players, manager staff) are fully vaccinated.
Foreign substances controversy
On June 15, MLB announced that any player found with a foreign substance (used to doctor a baseball or to improve their grip on a baseball) would be immediately ejected from the game, and would receive a 10-game suspension. Heightened enforcement of existing rules that prohibit such substances began after widespread use by pitchers to increase their grip and spin rate.
Spring training Spring training for the 2021 season began in late February and lasted through March. Teams began workouts and practice for spring training beginning in late February. Pitchers and catchers reported first, followed by position players a few days later.
Prior to the start of the regular season, each team played between 24 and 29 spring training games, beginning on February 28. There were several times during spring training where a team had two different squads playing different teams simultaneously. In addition to spring training games, teams occasionally played exhibition games with non-MLB teams, such as Minor League Baseball teams, independent teams, or college teams. These exhibition games were not counted in spring training standings. Spring training ended on March 30, two days before the Opening Day.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Managerial changes
General managers Offseason TeamFormer GMReason For LeavingNew GMNotes Los Angeles Angels Billy Eppler Fired Perry Minasian On September 27, 2020, the Angels fired Billy Eppler after five seasons as general manager just after the 2020 season, with one year remaining on his contract after they were quietly extended over the summer. Eppler was hired after the 2015 season. Under his tenure, the Angels had five straight losing seasons with no playoffs appearance. On November 12, the Angels hired Perry Minasian as his replacement. Philadelphia Phillies Matt Klentak Resigned Sam Fuld On October 3, 2020, Matt Klentak stepped down after a third straight September collapse left the team out of the postseason for the ninth consecutive season. The 40-year-old was reassigned to another position in the organization while Ned Rice served as interim general manager until the Phillies hired Dave Dombrowski as President of baseball operations. On December 22, Fuld was announced as the next GM of the Phillies. New York Mets Brodie Van Wagenen Fired Jared Porter On November 6, 2020, the Mets parted ways with Brodie Van Wagenen after two seasons as general manager, hours after Steve Cohen became the new owner of the team. On December 13, the Mets announced Jared Porter as their new general manager. Jared Porter Zack Scott (interim) On January 18, ESPN revealed that Porter had sent inappropriate images to a female reporter. On January 19, Steve Cohen tweeted that Porter had been fired. On January 27, the Mets named Zack Scott as interim general manager. Miami Marlins Michael Hill Contract Not Renewed Kim Ng Michael Hill was not retained by the Marlins after the 2020 season. On November 13, 2020, the Marlins hired Kim Ng as his replacement, making her the first female general manager in league history. Chicago Cubs Theo Epstein Resigned Jed Hoyer On November 17, 2020, Theo Epstein announced that he will step down from his role with the Cubs. Jed Hoyer was promoted to take his place. Texas Rangers Jon Daniels Chris Young On December 4, 2020, Jon Daniels, who remains president of baseball operations, announced that he step down from his role as general manager. Chris Young was hired to take his place.
Field managers
Offseason Team Former Manager Interim Manager Reason For Leaving New Manager Notes Detroit Tigers Ron Gardenhire Lloyd McClendon Retired A. J. Hinch On September 19, 2020, Gardenhire announced his retirement due to health concerns. Lloyd McClendon was named interim manager for the rest of the season that same day. Gardenhire finished with a record in just under three seasons. The Tigers did not make the playoffs during his tenure. The Tigers hired A.J. Hinch on October 30 as their new manager. In seven seasons, Hinch has accumulated a record while managing the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks. He led the Astros to two World Series appearances, winning in 2017 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and losing in 2019 to the Washington Nationals, both in seven games. Boston Red Sox Ron RoenickeNone Contract Not Renewed Alex Cora On September 27, 2020, the Red Sox announced that Roenicke would not be retained for the 2021 season after only one season following the team and Alex Cora parting ways. Roenicke finished his only season with a record and did not make the postseason. Cora was re-hired on November 6 after serving a one-year suspension imposed by MLB for his role in the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal. Prior to his suspension, Cora was in two seasons with the Red Sox, leading the team to a World Series win in his first season. Chicago White Sox Rick Renteria Fired Tony La Russa On October 12, 2020, the White Sox announced that Renteria would not return, ending his tenure with the team after four years with one year remaining on his contract. Renteria finished with a record of and one playoff appearance. On October 29, it was announced that Tony La Russa would return to the White Sox as manager. La Russa managed the White Sox during 1979–1986, compiling a record and one playoff appearance. At the age of 76, La Russa became the oldest manager in the majors. He had not managed any team since the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Yuli Gurriel (HOU) .319 OPS Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) 1.002 HR Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)Salvador Perez (KC) 48 RBI Salvador Perez (KC) 121 R Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) 123 H Bo Bichette (TOR) 191 SB Whit Merrifield (KC) 40
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Gerrit Cole (NYY) 16 L Cole Irvin (OAK) 15 ERA Robbie Ray (TOR) 2.84 K Robbie Ray (TOR) 248 IP Robbie Ray (TOR) 193.1 SV Liam Hendriks (CWS) 38 WHIP Robbie Ray (TOR) 1.045
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Trea Turner (LAD/) .328 OPS Bryce Harper (PHI) 1.044 HR Fernando Tatís Jr. (SD) 42 RBI Adam Duvall (ATL/) 113 R Freddie Freeman (ATL) 120 H Trea Turner (LAD/) 195 SB Trea Turner (LAD/) 32
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Julio Urías (LAD) 20 L Luis Castillo (CIN)Patrick Corbin (WSH) 16 ERA Corbin Burnes (MIL) 2.43 K Zack Wheeler (PHI) 247 IP Zack Wheeler (PHI) 213.1 SV Mark Melancon (SD) 39 WHIP Max Scherzer (LAD/) 0.864
Milestones Batters Yermín Mercedes (CWS): Became the second player in Major League modern history to record five hits in his first career start. Mercedes recorded the five hits on April 2 against the Los Angeles Angels. He joins Cecil Travis who accomplished this feat during the 1933 season. Became the first player in Major League modern history to record eight hits in his first eight at-bats of the season with his first three hits on April 3 against the Angels. His streak ended when he flied out against Tony Watson. Chris Stynes had the longest streak to start a season during the Expansion Era (dating back to 1961) at seven during the 1997 season. Akil Baddoo (DET):