Increases in Steals and Batting Averages, Shorter Game Times Observed in First MLB Postseason with New Rules

Arizona Diamondbacks lead in postseason steals as batting averages rise and game times fall due to larger bases and pitch clock rules; new regulations see highest steal success rate since 1987.

The new pitch clock and larger bases have led to a rise in postseason steals, from an average of 0.8 per game last year to 1.4 this year, with the Arizona Diamondbacks leading all teams with 1.6 steals per game.
Overall postseason batting averages have increased from .213 to .241. This increase is attributed to the new rules including the introduction of 18-inch square bases and pitch clock regulations.
Average game times have decreased from 3:22 to just over 3 hours for nine-inning games during this postseason, marking a reduction in game times in comparison to the previous two years.
A low number of just seven pitch clock violations have been reported across 36 postseason games. This is despite objections from the players' association to the introduction of a pitch clock set at 15 seconds with bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base.
The success rate of stolen base attempts has also climbed from 77.8 percent to 84.5 percent, marking the highest rate since 1987 according to Elias Sports Bureau, and indicative of the effectiveness of the new rules.