diff --git a/src/milb_manager.py b/src/milb_manager.py
index 887712c..13a062a 100644
--- a/src/milb_manager.py
+++ b/src/milb_manager.py
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ class BaseMiLBManager:
 
     def _fetch_milb_api_data(self, use_cache: bool = True) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Fetch MiLB game data from the MLB Stats API."""
-        cache_key = "milb_api_data"
+        cache_key = "milb_live_api_data"
         if use_cache:
             cached_data = self.cache_manager.get_with_auto_strategy(cache_key)
             if cached_data:
@@ -346,6 +346,16 @@ class BaseMiLBManager:
                     }
                 }
 
+            # Check if we're in MiLB season (April-September)
+            now = datetime.now()
+            current_month = now.month
+            in_season = 4 <= current_month <= 9
+            
+            if not in_season:
+                self.logger.info("MiLB is currently in offseason (October-March). No games expected.")
+                self.logger.info("Consider enabling test_mode for offseason testing.")
+                return {}
+
             # MiLB league sport IDs (configurable)
             sport_ids = self.milb_config.get('sport_ids', [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]) # Mexican, AAA, AA, A+, A, Rookie