Note: This article was written prior to the schedule release, with which it was presumed each team would play ten games versus each divisional opponent and four games versus each corresponding divisional opponent. In some instances, that is not the case.
It took nearly two months of back-and-forth (and very public) arguing between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, but it looks as if a reduced 2020 season will take place after all.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported (via Twitter) that, after failing to reach an agreement, Rob Manfred will implement a 60-game schedule via a power vested to him to unilaterally impose a schedule.
Nightengale reports that the second version of Spring Training (ironically, taking place in the summer) will begin on July 1. Games will begin the weekend of July 24-July 26.
Due to failure in reaching an agreement, expanded playoffs and unique extra inning rules will not be put in place. However, a universal designated hitter will be used for this season only.
With only 60 games on the schedule, it appears as if a scheduling possibility would be for each team to play every team in their division 10 times each and every team in the division of the opposite league four times each. If that ends up being the case, here is what the framework of the Pirates' schedule would look like:
Chicago Cubs (5 home, 5 away)
Chicago White Sox (2 home, 2 away)
Cleveland Indians (2 home, 2 away)
Cincinnati Reds (5 home, 5 away)
Detroit Tigers (2 home, 2 away)
Kansas City Royals (2 home, 2 away)
Milwaukee Brewers (5 home, 5 away)
Minnesota Twins (2 home, 2 away)
St. Louis Cardinals (5 home, 5 away)
At the moment, it is almost certain that fans will not be able to attend in any capacity. However, that could possibly change as the season progresses.
The news is not official yet, but Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that there is a 'strong expectation' that the MLBPA will approve of the proposal.
More details will certainly become available in the coming days.
It was a very public and ugly negotiation progress that ran into many walls, but America's past time will return to this country as a much-needed distraction.
With the NHL and NBA returning on July 30, Major League Baseball, despite all of the whispers of a cancelled season, will be the first American sport to return to action after almost five months of suspended play.
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