It’s no secret the 2020 Major League Baseball season will be an unconventional due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
After more than three months off, teams are returning to the field this week with the start Spring Training 2.0 and preparation for Opening Day, which is scheduled for July 23 and 24.
With only so much time at their disposal, MLB has decided to go with a 60-game regular season. The players advocated for more games, although with the fear of the second wave of coronavirus and TV deals locking in postseason dates, the owners would not budge on more than 60 games.
Given MLB commissioner Rob Manfred imposed a season rather an agreement being reached between the league and union, the 2020 postseason is not likely to include an expanded field of teams. Thus, 10 teams will play October baseball after sprinting through a 60-game season.
However, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner believes that can will to some issues. He is fully anticipating a scenario where teams will have to play tiebreakers in order to get into the postseason, via the “Holding Kourt Podcast”:
“I think it’s going to be insanely chaotic at the end of the season. I think there could be 10 or 11 teams playing for those seven spots. There could be three of four teams tied, and have like two or three or four play-in games just to get to the Wild Card.
“And the commissioner clearly stated how important it was that the regular season was over on the 27th (of September), but all these teams are going to be in a gridlock and we’re going to have to have playoff games on playoff games on playoff games just to get to the playoff games. I don’t think his precious little season is going to end on the 27th. I’ve got news for you Mr. Manfred, it’s probably not going to happen. There’s going to be a logjam.”
Hopefully the Dodgers can get out to a hot start to win the National League West for an eighth consecutive season and avoid being in the Wild Card Game or any tiebreakers.
With only 60 games to play, if the Dodgers come out slow as they did in 2018, they risk missing the postseason altogether, which would be a huge shame considering how much talent they have on the roster.
Luckily, the Dodgers have Turner and other veterans that can keep the clubhouse focused on the goal at hand.
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