Major League Baseball kicked off its 2023 season on Thursday with all 30 teams in action and some new rules in effect.

The MLB introduced three big rules that change the game. A pitch clock, much like a shot clock in the NBA, puts the pressure on pitchers to get to their next pitch much quicker than before. No more standing on the mound for two minutes in between pitches. Now, there are 15 seconds between pitches when there are no runners on base, and 20 seconds when there are.

An automatic ball is added to the count if a pitch doesn’t come in time. Meanwhile, an automatic strike is added to the count if a batter is not in the box in time.

The MLB is looking to speed up games to draw in more viewers. During spring training, the average game went from three hours, to only two and a half.

The average time from start to finish was two hours and 45 minutes, which is 18 minutes shorter than last year.

There are also new rules regarding the infield shift. Now, all four infielders are required to be on the dirt, with two on each side of second base.

The MLB is also trying to increase the odds of singles for batters when they hit a ground ball.

Another new rule for pitchers is that they cannot make more than two pickoff attempts per inning.

This is an attempt to encourage runners to steal more bases. Along with bases being increased in size, the MLB hopes for this to bring more excitement to the game.

This led to runners going 21 for 23 on steal attempts, including the Baltimore Orioles completing five steals.

The defending champion Houston Astros lost their opener to the White Sox, 3-2. This marks their first Opening Day loss in ten years.

The National League Champion Phillies also dropped their opener, losing 11-7 to the Texas Rangers.

Coming off of his record-breaking season, MVP Aaron Judge hit his first home run of the new season in their victory over the Giants, 5-0.

There were four more shutouts. The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0. The Tampa Bay Rays also won 4-0 against the Detroit Tigers. The Minnesota Twins defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-0, and the Seattle Mariners won against the Cleveland Guardians 3-0.

Before their game started, the New York Mets announced that pitcher Justin Verlander was placed on the injured list, adding to the list of injuries with others such as Edwin Díaz. Even with the injuries, they beat the Miami Marlins 5-3.

Another team dealt with an unfortunate injury as the Atlanta Braves lost Max Fried during their game against the Nationals. Despite this loss, they overcame them 7-2.

The Orioles held off the Boston Red Sox 10-9, winning on an automatic strike call on Rafael Devers.

Shohei Ohtani, fresh off the World Baseball Classic MVP, struck out 10, but the Los Angeles Angels lost to the Oakland Athletics 2-1

The remaining games saw the Los Angeles Dodgers win 8-2 over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Colorado Rockies won over the San Diego Padres 7-2. The Toronto Blue Jays won a close game against the Saint Louis Cardinals 10-9. Finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Cincinnati Reds 5-4.