JUMP TO: 

By and large, baseball fans have often been among the most averse to change. Baseball is one of the oldest sports in North America, and its basic rules and traditions have not gone through much change.

One such rule that has split fans is the extra-inning ghost runner rule. In 2020, all games that went to extra innings during the regular season had a runner put on second to begin every half inning. By giving a team a runner in scoring position, fans opposing the rule viewed it as adverse to the spirit of the game.

If there’s one thing the rule has done, however, it is lead to a drastic decrease in late games. In 2019, there were 210 games that went to the 11th inning or later. That number went down every year thereafter, dropping drastically to 102 in 2021, 100 in 2022 and 90 in 2023.

The shorter games don’t mean baseball fans have all loved the new rule, even if it has meant that there are no longer games that appear to have no end in sight.

Has the divisive rule made an appearance in the MLB postseason? Here’s what you need to know.

MORE: The longest games in World Series history

MLB extra inning rules for World Series

There are some rules that don’t change between the first nine innings and extra innings. There is still a pitch clock that impacts batters and pitchers. Players are still only allowed a certain allotment of mound visits and disengagements. 

One rule that doesn’t make the transition to the playoffs and the World Series is the ghost runner. When teams go to extra innings, there will be no runner starting the half-inning on second base. Instead, all batters will have to earn their way on to the bases.

MORE: What to know about MLB attendance records

Is there an extra inning runner in World Series?

There is no ghost runner in the World Series. Just like pre-pandemic days, teams will start every inning with the bases empty. 

MORE: Which teams have won the most World Series?

How many innings in baseball?

Baseball games typically last only nine innings, though if the teams are tied after nine, the game will go to a 10th inning. From there, the game will have as many innings as it takes until one team comes out of an inning with the lead.

Unlike the NFL, there are no ties. Baseball games are always played until there is a winner.

MORE: What is the World Series trophy called?

Longest games in World Series history

World Series games don’t exactly have a long history of running into the late hours of the day. Only five times has a game lasted more than 12 innings.

The longest World Series game ever came back in 2018, when the Red Sox and Dodgers went 18 innings. That game lasted a whopping seven hours and 20 minutes. There were a total of 18 pitchers used in the game, and did not end until Max Muncy hit a walk-off home run off Nathan Eovaldi in the bottom of the 18th. The Blue Jays and Dodgers also went to 18 innings in 2025, but their time played did not quite match the Red Sox-Dodgers matchup from 2018. 

Here’s a look at every World Series game that has lasted at least 12 innings.

MatchupDateInningsTimeResultRed Sox vs. DodgersOct. 26, 2018187 hours, 20 minutesDodgers win 3-2Dodgers vs. Blue JaysOct. 27, 2025186 hours, 51 minutesDodgers win 6-5Mets vs. RoyalsOct. 27, 2015145 hours, 9 minutesRoyals win 5-4White Sox vs. AstrosOct. 25, 2005145 hours, 41 minutesWhite Sox win 7-5Robins vs. Red SoxOct. 9, 1916142 hours, 32 minutesRed Sox win 2-1Royals vs. MetsNov. 1, 2015124 hours, 15 minutesRoyals win 7-2Yankees vs. MarlinsOct. 22, 2003124 hours, 3 minutesMarlins win 4-3Diamondbacks vs. YankeesNov. 1, 2001124 hours, 15 minutesYankees win 3-2Mets vs. YankeesOct. 21, 2000124 hours, 51 minutesYankees win 4-3Twins vs. BravesOct. 22, 1991124 hours, 4 minutesBraves win 5-4Dodgers vs. YankeesOct. 11, 1977123 hours, 24 minutesYankees win 4-3Reds vs. Red SoxOct. 21, 1975124 hours, 1 minuteRed Sox win 7-6Mets vs. AthleticsOct. 14, 1973124 hours, 13 minutesMets win 10-7Tigers vs. CubsOct. 8, 1945123 hours, 28 minutesCubs win 8-7Cardinals vs. TigersOct. 4, 1934122 hours, 49 minutesTigers win 3-2Giants vs. NationalsOct. 10, 1924123 hoursNationals win 4-3Giants vs. NationalsOct. 4, 1924123 hours, 7 minutesGiants win 4-3Athletics vs. BravesOct. 12, 1914123 hours, 6 minutesBraves win 5-4Tigers vs. CubsOct. 8, 1907122 hours, 40 minutesTie, 3-3*

* – Game 1 of the 1907 World Series was called a tie due to darkness 

MORE: Ranking the 21 best father-son duos in MLB history