2020 MLB Season

Amid Spring Training, the coronavirus outbreak had spread enough around the country and within the sports leagues to shut down all functions within all the ongoing major sports leagues. The NBA and NHL were both in the concluding days of their regular season, about to begin their playoffs with some important game still to be played.

While both the NBA and NHL elected to play their postseason in isolated bubble settings, MLB would continue traveling for games without the presence of fans for their regular season. They would then transition to isolated settings for their postseason, keeping the series locations at a mutual stadium site.

The MLB was forced to conclude playing all Spring Training games and postpone Opening Day. Originally, Opening Day was scheduled for March 26^th. This date was delayed until the July 24^th for the 2020 MLB season. The Yankees and Dodgers would play opening night on the 23^rd, that officially began the season.

The season would continue to play a shortened 60-game season, with an expanded 16-team playoffs format to decide the World Series, rather than the traditional 10-team playoffs format. The Los Angeles Dodgers survived a 3-1 series deficit against the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 NLCS and came back to win the series. The Dodgers would move onto defeating the Tampa Bay Rays to become the 2020 World Series Champions.

Opt outs

Ryan Zimmerman

The Washington Nationals 1B is coming off a Championship year with the team and signed a 1 year deal in January to return. Zimmerman opted out due to health risk factors of having 3 young children, one of them a newborn, and his mother is considered at high risk.

Ian Desmond

Colorado Rockies Centerfielder announced his decision to opt out over an Instagram post. He expressed his concerns of health risks to himself, his pregnant wife, and four children. Also taking the opportunity to help his community in the wake of racial injustice protests.

David Price

Accompanying Mookie Betts in the blockbuster trade during the offseason, the former Red Sox & new Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher was lined up to be the 3^rd starter in the Dodgers rotation. Price announced his decision on July 4^th via Instagram over concerns for his family’s health and has been critical of how MLB has been handling the virus.

Felix Hernandez

Before playing his first game on a different team other than the Seattle Mariners, the new Atlanta Braves pitcher opted out of the season on July 4^th. Last year, Hernandez had considered retirement before joining the Braves.

Buster Posey

The fan favorite San Francisco Giants catcher had decided to opt in 2020 due to health concerns after adopting twins that were 32 weeks prematurely born. Posey would listen to medical advice from doctors and opt out to spend time with his family.

Yoenis Cespedes

The New York Mets DH had left the team without notice during one of their games this year. After deciding to opt out on Aug 2, Cespedes did not inform the team of his departure, and caused the team to worry about his location and well-being.

Recap & COVID-19 Effect

The two teams which were mostly impacted by the spread of the virus were the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins. The Cardinals were nearly unable to complete the season as they were forced to make up their games with 11 double headers in the final 44 days scheduled in the regular season. They had a stretch where 32 games were played in 27 days.

A total of 40 MLB games had to be postponed in 2020, and the Cardinals would only play 58 games of the scheduled 60 game season. Though the Cardinals would miss the playoffs, they came close into the conversation.

The San Diego Padres would compile the most exciting season with 21-year-old Fernando Tatis Jr. emerging as a star in the league. Along with Manny Machado, the powerful Padres offense scored the 3^rd most runs in the MLB behind the Braves and eventual World Series Champion Dodgers claiming the top spot.

The NLCS came down to the Braves and the Dodgers, with the Dodgers making a series comeback winning 3 games straight to win it all in game 7. In the ALCS, the Tampa Bay rays held onto their 3-1 series lead against the Houston Astros and won their series in game 7 as well.

Rays rookie Randy Arozarena broke the record for most hits and home runs in a single postseason. The home run postseason record was also broken this year by Corey Seager, who has 8 home runs in the post season, sitting right behind Arozarena’s 9 home runs in his playoffs debut.