Now that the 2020 MLB season is finally expected to start in less than a month, things are starting to take shape.
While some teams expect to have fans in attendance, others are going to play in front of empty stadiums due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We can now add one more team to that list.
San Francisco Giants announce they will not have fans in attendance, offer odd alternative
It’s not a surprise that a California-based team won’t be able to host fans this summer and spring. The alternative San Francisco is offering in that of a Fan Cutout Program certainly is a bit odd.
California COVID-19 cases
It sure looks like California’s four other MLB teams, the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres, will have to follow suit.
California broke its single day case record with north of 7,000 on Tuesday. The state has joined others in that of Texas and Florida on an upward trajectory as it relates to COVID-19.
It’s also important to note that California Governor Gavin Newsom has in the past indicated that it’s unlikely fans will be able to attend sporting events in his state through the end of the 2020 calendar year.
Other MLB teams are expecting to have fans in attendance for 2020 MLB season
It was just noted on Thursday that the Chicago Cubs expect to welcome fans to Wrigley Field. They are joined by the likes of the Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox in coming to this conclusion.
As you can tell, the decision to host fans will likely be left up to individual teams and local government leaders. Obviously, that makes it highly unlikely fans will be watching any game in California this season.
The interesting dynamic here is that it wouldn’t be a shock if MLB’s two New York-based teams in that of the Mets and Yankees are able to welcome fans. Remember, New York was the worldwide epicenter of COVID-19 during the spring.