As part of the pandemic-season rule changes last year, MLB introduced its new, and somewhat controversial, extra-innings format. During the regular season, all extra innings began with a runner on second base and no outs. Just like seven-inning doubleheaders, the extra-innings rule carried over into the 2021 season.
Last year, SI's MLB staff weighed in with their thoughts on the new extra-innings rule. At the time, it was considered an experiment in the most unusual season. Now that it's here again this year, and possibly indefinitely, we revisited the new format.
Tom Verducci
The free runner on second base to start extra innings is an idea that has been even better in practice than it was in theory.