The New York Mets returned to action last night after a five-day layoff which began when two members of their traveling party tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Looking around the league nearly every team has had their schedule impacted by the Coronavirus in some capacity, as positive tests continue to pop up.
In hopes of avoided those types of scheduling and competitive complications during the most important time of the year, Major League Baseball is looking to implement a postseason plan at “controlled sites”.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the American League would potentially be based in Southern California, while the National League would be based in Texas. Rosenthal notes that no plan is close to being finalized, but the league is talking through scenarios with the union now. The final plan would of course have to be approved by the owners.
Potential sites for playoff games in Southern California could include Dodgers Stadium, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Petco Park (Padres). On the National League side, Minute Maid Park (Astros) and Globe Life Field (Rangers) could be two sites in Texas.
The Rangers new ballpark has been tabbed as the likely site of the World Series if this plan was approved.
Looking around sports, it is clear that implementing a bubble atmosphere is the best way to keep COVID-19 from impacted these leagues. The NBA and the NHL are in the midst of their respective playoffs and are having great success.
In all of the recent rounds of testing, the NBA has come back with no positive tests in their bubble in Orlando. The same goes for the NHL in their Canadian hub cities of Toronto and Edmonton.
