Major League Baseball is built around innings, pitching matchups and a season of repeated series between clubs. A game is not scheduled as a fixed number of television minutes: innings can be brief, extended by long at-bats or followed by extra innings. Following the count, outs and runners on base makes the tactical choices easier to understand. A starting pitcher's duel can become a bullpen contest later, while a single defensive play may change what the next batter can attempt. For viewers following a club across several days, the series context matters as much as one score. Condensed replays are useful for catching key plays, but they compress much of that developing pressure.
How the viewing session is organised
Innings and multi-game series, with pitching changes and extra innings affecting the duration and story.
Useful answers
Why can an MLB game run beyond its expected television slot?
Baseball is resolved through innings rather than a fixed match clock. Long innings, interruptions or extra innings can extend the finish.
What is useful to follow besides the score?
The count, number of outs, runners on base and the current pitcher explain the immediate situation and the options available to each side.