MLB releases pandemic-shortened schedule amid testing delays

Major League Baseball released its pandemic-shortened schedule Monday, featuring a tantalizing season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, even as some teams were still bogged down by coronavirus concerns.

By the time MLB revealed each team’s 60-game slate Monday evening, the Nationals and Houston Astros — last year’s pennant winners — had canceled workouts because of COVID-19 testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season.

Nick Markakis became the second Atlanta Braves veteran to opt out of the season, swayed by a phone call with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has been stricken with COVID-19. The Texas Rangers said All-Star slugger Joey Gallo tested positive and is asymptomatic.

Opening night on July 23 will feature the Yankees and their new ace, Gerrit Cole, visiting the Nationals. On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers and their big offseason acquisition, Mookie Betts, will host the rival San Francisco Giants.

Everybody else will be in action by the next day. Teams will play only their division rivals and teams in the corresponding geographic division in the other league.

One quirk of the 60-game schedule is that division foes will play 10 times each, but not necessarily five times in each city. For instance, the Yankees and Red Sox will play seven games in the Bronx but just three in Boston.

Combined with another quirk of this bizarre season — a new rule awarding teams an automatic runner on second base to start each inning after the ninth — home-field advantage could be a huge difference maker, even in empty ballparks.

“I think it does tip the scales to favor the home team if you do get to an extra-inning scenario with this rule in place,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/MLB-releases-pandemic-shortened-schedule-amid-15390050.php