Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the oldest professional sports leagues in the world. Founded in 1903, the league has 30 teams - 15 play in the National League while 15 play in the American League. There are 29 teams from the United States of America while one team from Canada, similar to NBA. Significantly, both the NL and AL leagues were started earlier back in 1876 and 1901 while the winners of each league will play in the final. Likewise, the MLB headquarters is situated in Midtown Manhattan.

After the league's incredible success, the 1920s saw the league being devoid of home runs which got known as the dead-ball era. As the games gained unprecedented success, new turfs and stadiums began in existence during the 1970-80 era. Hence, baseball became one of the major sport in the USA.

The MLB also includes Minor League Baseball that includes lower-tier franchises that hold affiliation with the MLB teams.

The teams play 162 games each season as the five best teams advance to a post-season tournament. The tournament would see six division champions and four wild card teams. A one-game playoff would be played between the two Wild card teams. After that, a best of five-game series will be played in the playoffs. The final two teams of each division would play against each other in a seven-match series. The last game will be between the champions of each conference in a seven-match series for the MLB title.

Due to its popularity, the MLB sees crowds flooding in to see matches. The 2018 season saw 69.6 million spectators. After the NFL, the MLB generates the second-most revenue in America.

History of MLB

During the summer of 1839, Abner Doubleday invented the game in Cooperstown, New York.

Although people played the sport leisurely, it now has become, one of the most followed sports in the USA. The origins of the sport had come into existence back in the 18th century, from the two English games: rounders- a game introduced by English colonialists and cricket. After the industrial revolution, the sport became a mainstay amongst American people with different people playing the sport.

After several years, a bank clerk named Alexander Joy Cartwright made some rules that define modern baseball. A new diamond-shaped infield, foul lines, and the three-strike rule got introduced. Significantly, he abolished the rule where a person throws the ball on them to tag them in. The Knickerbockers played the first official game of baseball as they squared off with a cricket team. Hence, it came one of the sporting marvels of the country.

How to Watch Major League Baseball

Most of the games are telecasted on AT&T TV as the broadcast depends on the region. ESPN and Fubo TV telecasts select opening day games. Meanwhile, in the UK, the games are telecasted on BT Sport and are also included in BT Sport ESPN.

Moreover, Australia telecasts their broadcast on ESPN Australia while North Africa, Middle East, and France are broadcasted on the beIN Sports channel. In addition, people can watch games with an MLB. TV subscription that costs $25 per month/$129 per year.

Teams in the MLB

The number of teams present in the MLB is 30. Likewise, two conferences (AL & NL) will host 15 teams as they play against each other throughout the season. Each conference is further divided into East, Central, and West.

National League

EAST:

• Atlanta Braves
• Miami Marlins
• New York Mets
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Washington Nationals

• Chicago Cubs
• Cincinnati Reds
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• St. Louis Cardinals

• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Colorado Rockies
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• San Diego Padres
• San Francisco Giants

American League

• Baltimore Orioles
• Boston Red Sox
• New York Yankees
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Toronto Blue Jays

• Chicago White Sox
• Cleveland Indians
• Detroit Tigers
• Kansas City Royals
• Minnesota Twins

• Houston Astros
• Los Angeles Angels
• Oakland Athletics
• Seattle Mariners
• Texas Rangers

Past Champions of MLB