July 17, 2020
Major League Baseball is officially back. After nearly three months of extensive negotiation and planning, team owners and players have agreed on conditions for an abbreviated season. Here is what you need to know.
Play Ball
Beginning July 23-24, the league will embark on a 60–games–in–66–days schedule. Training camps start on July 1, with the Tigers training at Comerica Park. Teams will play 40 games within their divisions and 20 interleague games with geographic rivals. Lineups will be staggered as the season progresses as well. Teams will start the season with 30 active players, reducing to 28 after two weeks, and 26 after four weeks. The post-season format remains at 10 teams.
Health and Safety
While the season is back on, the threats posed by Coronavirus will pose significant considerations. As part of the agreement for the season, the league developed a 100-page health and safety manual outlining practices such as player testing upon arrival to camps with tests continuing every other day. What does that mean for fans? In the immediate term, the general sentiment is to start without fans in the stands, though local governments may be able to allow crowds at their discretion. The hope is that over time, stadiums will be able welcome fans back fully.
The updated 2020 schedule has yet to be released. Visit www.mlb.com/tigers for the latest on when the Tigers will be playing.
Written by Let’s Detroit’s Catia Sabak