MLB playoffs set for a bubble
The 2020 Major League Baseball season has been like none other played before it, with only 60 regular-season games and an expanded playoff format. Unlike other professional sports leagues in North America such as the National Basketball Association or National Hockey League though, MLB decided against a bubble format opting to play games in teams’ local markets instead. That is set to change for the playoffs though.
On Tuesday, Rob Manfred announced that the final three rounds of the postseason will be played inside a bubble environment. The league is hoping to avoid having to postpone playoff games due to a COVID-19 outbreak like they did throughout the regular season, with the virus being blamed for the postponement of 45 different games.
By moving inside a bubble, teams will minimize any possible exposure to the virus and there is a far greater chance that all games can be played when they are originally scheduled to. The World Series will be played entirely inside Arlington, Texas at the Texas Rangers new state-of-the-art ballpark.
“The elimination of travel is obviously a positive because it cuts exposure,” Manfred said in told The Associated Press after Tuesday’s announcement, via ESPN. “Less interaction outside with the group that you’re looking to protect is a huge positive. It’s all about what the risk of interacting with the community is.”
As a result of the expanded playoff format, 16 teams qualify for the postseason in 2020 as opposed to the typical 10 that we see every other year. The first round of the playoffs will still be played in the same method as the regular season, with teams travelling to local markets to play games.
Starting with the American League and National League Division Series, teams will be required to move inside a bubble environment with no travel taking place during the series. The AL Division Series will be held at San Diego’s Petco Park and Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium. The NL Division Series will take place in Arlington at Globe Life and Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
The AL Championship Series will be in San Diego while the NL Championship Series will be held in Arlington.
MLB is even hoping they will be able to have some fans in attendance for the playoff games or World Series, after not having any in attendance for regular season games. The NFL kicked off this weekend with some fans allowed in certain stadiums with reduced capacities.
“In the view of our infectious disease experts, the biggest risk of exposure for players and staff is contact with family members and friends who have been exposed to COVID-19 in their communities,” MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem wrote in a memo sent to teams Monday night, via ESPN. “Nearly all of the positive test results that have been reported for players and staff in the last month can be traced back to contact with an infected family member, domestic partner, or friend outside of club facilities.”
The regular season continues Wednesday with teams winding down the campaign and fighting to either sneak into the playoffs or for a top spot in their division.
