Since March, rumors have been flying around about how and when the MLB could be getting the season started. Throwing around different ideas left and right, the MLB really hasn’t set anything in stone. That could be changing soon.
According to familiar sources within MLB, the ongoing talks within the office of the commissioner is that MLB is pushing for a June or early July start. Games played will be around the 100 game mark (maybe), and playoffs will look at the possibility of having 14 teams instead of 10.
USA Today has reported that MLB is preparing teams to resume spring training at their respective regular-season ballparks rather than returning to their Arizona and Florida locations. This comes from the reports of 4 different executives in MLB.
The plan is to have all teams participate in a 3-week spring training style refresher before the season officially begins.
Bob Nightengale from USA Today stated the following regarding the ease of having teams play at their own home fields:
“Training in their home ballparks would largely eliminate the need for hotel rooms and per diem for the players during Spring Training 2.0. It would also save time in this shortened season, with everyone in place for the start of the regular season instead of traveling back from spring training sites”
This, of course, all depends on the restrictions that are still being upheld in each state regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Florida is set to open up little by little beginning on May 4th, and the state of Texas reopening today. Other states are still debating on a reopening timetable.
As for our beloved Dodgers status on playing, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his plan of attack on Twitter with no set date in mind:
CA will re-open our economy in a gradual and thoughtful way — guided by public health and science.
Our stores will look different. Offices will operate differently. But we will be healthier.pic.twitter.com/wQDBSy2BJz
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 29, 2020
Dodgers baseball doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon with fans in attendance. Players and fans have been more than eager to see baseball back, regardless if there are fans in the stands or not. We can all hope for a July start for baseball with an extended playoff bracket past November.
Doesn’t a Dodgers World Series Championship sound good as a Christmas gift? No asterisks included as well says MLB. Let’s make it happen.
