The Truncated 2020 MLB season is slated to get going on July 23 with a doubleheader that will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals.
Whether the season actually gets going remains to be seen. But things are not looking great as it relates to COVID-19 tests around the baseball world.
The NFL is a bit different in that it’s not expected to get going until Sept. 10. In talking about these two sports, one of the foremost virus experts sounds a cautionary alarm.
Dr. Anthony Fauci more optimistic about MLB resuming than the NFL
Dr. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, has talked a lot about sports resuming amid the global pandemic. He noted previously that it was almost impossible for the NFL to complete its season without being in a bubble similar to what we’re seeing with the NHL and NBA. The NFL has pushed back against the belief.
Realistically, Fauci’s stance makes sense. Football is a contact sport. Huddles don’t allow for social distancing. There’s a lot that goes into this, as some big time players have pointed out in the recent past.
Major League baseball is a bit different. While we have seen a number of players test positive for coronavirus, the sport does allow for social distancing. And for the most part, fans will not be in attendance for the 2020 season.
MLB released its 2020 schedule on Monday
Each team will play 60 regular-season games starting on July 23. They’ll play against divisional opponents and interleague games against those in their region. As noted, it’s highly unlikely fans will be in attendance.
While we have seen some star players opt out of the 2020 season, it’s more than likely going to get going on time later this month. Whether the season finishes given the increase of COVID-19 cases in the United States remains to be seen. At the very least, Dr. Fauci seems optimistic.