Baseball is back: Schedule, locations, who’s out and how to watch MLB’s return
Los Angeles Angels bat Mike Trout during a spring training game.
Masterpress / Getty Images
After this Corona virus The beginning of the baseball season was postponed and almost everything else was stopped. The sport is expected to return with a 60-game season commissioned by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Negotiations between the league and the MLB Players Association weren’t particularly nice, with weeks of back and forth suggestions played in the media without a solution before a season was finally decided. Even now, a handful of players, including Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman, have announced that they will be suspending the shortened season. More could follow.
There is still a lot to sort before the first places are thrown, but here is everything we know about the much anticipated start of the MLB.
When does the season continue?
The regular season begins on Thursday, July 23rd, with a prime time double header. In the first game, the New York Yankees will visit the defending nationals from 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). In the second game, the San Francisco Giants face the Los Angeles Dodgers at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT). Both games will be broadcast on ESPN.
The rest of the league will start on Friday, July 24th, in a packed table, starting with the Atlanta Braves at the New York Mets at 4:10 p.m. ET (1:10 p.m. PT).
CBS Sports has compiled some of the highlights and dates to look forward to this season.
When did spring training begin?
Players who registered for spring training on July 1 and teams are allowed to “invite 60 players to the Big League Camp, with only players entitled to play during the season,” according to MLB.com. Active rosters start with 30 players, before falling to 28 players after two weeks and 26 players after four weeks.
With the recent surge in cases in Florida and Arizona, the traditional spring training locations, teams will instead prepare for the season at their home stadiums.
Where are games played?
Wrigley Field will host Cubs games this year.
Timothy Hiatt / Getty Images
Spring training and the regular season take place in each of the 30 home cities of the 30 teams, with the possible exception of the Toronto Blue Jays, the only MLB team outside the United States. It is currently unclear whether the Blue Jays can play their 30 home games in Canada or move for the season, although a recent Toronto Sun report suggests the Jays can play in their home park.
All games, regardless of the city, are played without fans.
Which teams play against each other?
The subway series continues in the shortened season.
Rich Schultz / Getty Images
To keep the trip short, the teams play in the closest geographic areas. Therefore, you should mainly expect a game in the division, whereby the interleague is only limited to that of the other league (AL East vs. NL East, AL Central vs. NL Central, AL West vs. NL West).
Therefore, as CBS Sports noted in his example, the Nationals will only play against rival NL East teams, with interleague games against AL East teams. This means we may not see the troubled Houston Astros until the Yankees post-season, but those looking for the Stros who hit the garbage cans to get a little comeuppance can count on their games against the Dodgers in a rematch of 2017 world series are looking forward. The first matchup between the two teams will take place on July 28th and 29th in Houston.
Are there any changes to additional innings?
To make sure the games don’t last too long, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale says the extra inning game starts with a second place for the hit team. This would continue every half inning until there is a winner.
All extra inning games start with a runner on the second base, starting on the 10th.
– Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale), June 24, 2020
Is there a DH in the NL?
The position of the thrower in the stroke order becomes a designated hitter, with MLB introducing a universal DH for the 2020 season.
What about extended playoffs?
While there was talk of expansion, the playoffs for the 2020 season remain at 10 teams.
Who doesn’t play
Some players have already said that they will not be playing in the shortened season. Here are some of the current players who have announced that they will be sitting outside:
- Mike Leake (Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Joe Ross (Washington Nationals)
- Ian Desmond (Colorado Rockies)
- Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)
- David Price (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Welington Castillo (Washington Nationals)
- Felix Hernandez (Atlanta Braves)
- Nick Markakis (Atlanta Braves)
- Buster Posey (San Francisco Giants)
How can I watch the 2020 MLB season on TV?
Except for the first few games on ESPN, no exact details on how to watch the games have been released yet.
It is likely that you can watch your local regional sports networks such as the local Fox Sports channels, the YES network (New York Yankees), the NESN (Boston Red Sox) or SportsNet LA (Los Angeles Dodgers). Regular MLB stations such as Fox, Fox Sports 1, TBS, MLB Network and ESPN will likely also be involved.
MLB.TV, the MLB’s paid streaming service, will be available for streaming games outside of the market, with the league charging $ 60 for the entire shortened season.
Many of the national baseball channels are offered on five of the major live TV streaming services. However, you should check with everyone that your regional sports network is available.
To get all national baseball channels, you’ll need Sling’s Blue / Orange package, which costs $ 45 a month, and the Sports Extra add-on for another $ 10 a month to get MLB Network receive. Read our Sling TV test.
YouTube TV costs $ 65 a month and includes all major national baseball channels. Depending on your team and your area, you may also have your regional sports network. Read our YouTube TV test.
Hulu with live TV costs $ 55 a month and includes most major national baseball channels, including ESPN, Fox, and TBS. While some areas may also receive regional sports networks, the service does not have an MLB network. Read our Hulu with live TV test.
The AT&T TV Now Plus-Plus package for USD 55 per month includes ESPN, Fox, FS1 and TBS. However, you have to increase the maximum package of $ 80 a month for regional sports channels and possibly the selection of $ 110 a month if you also want MLB Network. Read our AT&T TV Now report.
FuboTV includes Fox, ESPN, FS1, and TBS in its standard plan of $ 60 a month, as well as some local regional sports networks, though those looking for MLB Network will need to look elsewhere. Note: ESPN is not currently available, but will be available sometime this summer, says FuboTV. Read our FuboTV test.
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