After months of useless back-and-forth talks, MLB imposed a 60-game season with play beginning in mid to late July. Players will report to their respective ballparks on July 1 for three weeks of training camp. And there's going to be some new things to see. For example:
- The designated hitter is coming to the National League, for at least the next two seasons. So look for the Phillies to use a combination of Jay Bruce, Andrew McCutchen, JT Realmuto, and probably Rhys Hoskins to get some time there.
- There's a new rule for extra innings, and this I absolutely despise. If a game is tied after nine innings, the 10th inning starts with a runner on second. Sacrifice bunt fever! Catch it! The idea is to avoid 15-inning games, but there's a lot to be said for Mitch Williams knocking in the game-winning run at 4:40 a.m.
- All games will be played without fans in the stands.
Another thing to worry about is a spike in COVID-19 cases. Since social distancing rules were loosened in Floria and Arizona, those two states have seen a considerable increase in the number of infected people. Three MLB teams play in those states.
I wish I could get more excited about baseball coming back. But I have a feeling the virus is going to win, and there won't be any games at all this season because the players and owners dicked around for three months.
At least the weather forecast for Opening Day won't be breezy and cold with drizzle and a high of 43.
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