2020 MLB Season Thread

[JGibson]

With pitchers and catches set to report this week for Spring Training, we're ready to open the 2020 MLB season.  Will the Washington Nationals defend their World Series crown? Will the St. Louis Cardinals defend their NL Central title? Will the Los Angeles Dodgers keep their run of NL West titles going? Will the scandal-tarred Houston Astros stay as AL West favorites? Who will be the AL and NL MVPs? Stay tuned.



2019: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=316875.0

[JGibson]

Mark Feisand at MLB.com:

MLB is considering a significant restructuring of its playoff format, one which would begin with a dramatic live television show during which two teams from each league would have the ability to select their first-round opponents.

The proposed format, which has been gaining traction among owners and within the Commissioner’s Office, would see the total number of playoff teams in each league increase from five to seven, with the Wild Card round expanding from a one-game playoff to a best-of-three series. The new format could go into effect as early as the 2022 season.

The league’s potential plan was first reported by the New York Post.

Here’s how the new format would work:

The team with the best record in both the American and National League would receive a first-round bye, automatically advancing to the Division Series. The other two division winners would host all three games in a best-of-three Wild Card round, as would the Wild Card team with the next-best record.

Three other Wild Card teams would also advance to the best-of-three round, though none would host a game.

The division winner with the second-best record in the league would then get to decide which of the bottom three Wild Card teams it wants to play in the opening round -- a decision that would be aired on live television on the final Sunday night of the season, just hours after the regular season concludes.

The fact that the MLB is even entertaining the idea of picking your postseason opponent is proof that "Commissioner" Rob Manfred needs to be fired. #FireManfred #ImpeachManfred

[JGibson]

​The new MLB season is here, and here are some new rules that you need to know about.

 
Dayn Perry at CBS Sports:

MLB on Wednesday announced some key rule changes that will be in effect starting with the upcoming 2020 season. Most of these were already known, but one adjustment to the rules governing replay review was previously unreported. ​​​​​​​

         



Key changes: 
- The 3-batter minimum rule (waived if pitcher is injured, ejected, or inning is completed).
- Rosters are increased to 26 during the season and postseason other than September, in which the rosters get expanded to 28 during that month, down from up to 40. 
- A maximum of 13 pitchers can be on the active 26-man and 14 on the 28-man. 
- Two-way player eligibility is granted when a player has at least 20 innings pitched in MLB and at least 20 MLB games started as a position player or designated hitter– with at least three plate appearances in each of those games 
- The 26th man in doubleheaders becomes the 27th man and can be either a pitcher or position player. 
- Position players can pitch if the game goes to extra innings or if their team is up or down more than six runs when they came in to pitch during the normal 9 innings. 
- Pitchers and Two-Way players will now have a minimum of 15 days on the IL instead of 10. The same applies to the minor league optioning period.

​

[JGibson]

LHP Chris Sale will be out for awhile for the Red Sox.



Ian Browne at MLB.com:

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Chris Sale has a flexor strain in his left elbow, Red Sox interim manager Ron Roenicke said on Thursday, and has been advised to wait another week before throwing again.

That's good news for Sale and the Red Sox. It is unclear how much time Sale will miss this season, but a source told MLB.com on Wednesday that the Red Sox don’t expect the lefty’s latest elbow issue to keep him out for the season.

[JGibson]

Yesterday was supposed to have been the opening day for most clubs. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, don't expect MLB to resume playing before Memorial Day weekend or early June at the earliest.

[JGibson]

MLB may be doing the three regions plan to start the season up: Arizona, Florida, and Texas.

[JGibson]

MLB owners approve a proposal that has the season starting around the 4th of July weekend. The proposal includes making the DH universal, expanding the playoffs by 2 teams per league to make it 14 total/7 per league, active rosters increased from 26 to 30-- with a 20-man reserve roster due to the likelihood of no minor league games, most stadiums will host their team's games without fans, Spring Training 2.0 likely won't have games being played, and an 82-game schedule meaning that teams will only play their own division and their corresponding division in the other league (NL Central teams will play other teams in that division and AL Central teams only).


Jeff Passan at ESPN.com:

Major League Baseball owners approved a proposal that commissioner Rob Manfred plans to present to players Tuesday on a return-to-play scenario that aims to have baseball back in home stadiums by early July, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.

The meeting between MLB and the MLB Players Association on Tuesday will set the stage for what both parties expect to be a contentious negotiation. While MLB could benefit long term from being the first American team sport to return amid the coronavirus pandemic, the logistics of starting the season remain convoluted and require player support.



[...]



The season could start on Fourth of July weekend with games around the country in home stadiums. The intradivision-heavy schedule would be to limit travel -- with teams possibly traveling by bus to nearby cities.

Spring training likely would not include any games, as teams could get ready for the season at their home stadiums. The 50 players available would be a mixture of major leaguers and top minor league players, with the minor league season in jeopardy.

[JGibson]

The 2020 MLB Draft will be held over two nights and 5 rounds. The 1st Round and Competitive Balance Round A will be on 06.10.2020 and the rest of the rounds will be on 06.11.2020.

[JGibson]

Glad to have baseball back.


Let's F**king Go Cardinals!

[JGibson]

The MLB released its 60-game schedule last night. The season will begin on July 23rd and/or 24th.

[JGibson]

Jordan Hicks, who would've been the potential closer for the Cards, is opting out.

[JGibson]

Ugh. Yadi, DeJong, and 5 other Cardinals players tested positive for COVID-19.

https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1290681654151962626

[JGibson]

Cardinals came back from their hiatus, and won 5-1 in their first game of the twinbill against the White Sox.

[JGibson]

RIP Lou Brock.


https://twitter.com/TheUndefeated/status/1302741478117117952

[JGibson]

Playoff picture:


AL
#1 Rays-#8 Blue Jays
#2 A's-#7 White Sox
#3 Twins-#6 Astros
#4 Indians-#5 Yankees


NL
#1 Dodgers-#8 Brewers
#2 Braves-#7 Reds
#3 Cubs-#6 Marlins
#4 Padres-#5 Cardinals


The wild card round is a best 2 out of 3 at the higher seed's stadium.


https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1310355131112751105

[JGibson]

Go Cardinals!!!

[JGibson]

My Cardinals won 7-4 over the Padres. Win later today, and a trip to the NLDS awaits us.

[JGibson]

RIP Bob Gibson.