Major League Baseball is reportedly planning to get back to a 162-game regular season in 2021.
Citing sources, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told all 30 teams on Monday to prepare for both February spring training and a full 162-game campaign.
Nightengale’s report also stated that the league hoped to push back the season “by at least a month” to buy time time for player and fan COVID-19 vaccinations. The MLBPA “vigorously fought it”, according to Nightengale.
Right now, the regular season schedule calls for opening day to take place on Apr. 3, with all 30 teams in action. Game 7 of the World Series, if necessary, is scheduled for Nov. 3.
The 60-game 2020 season began on July 23 and lasted until Oct. 27. The 30 clubs each played 40 divisional games, 10 against each opponent.
The other 20 games consisted of games against the team in the corresponding geographical division from the other league; the NL West vs. the AL West, the AL Central vs. the NL Central and the AL East vs. the NL East.
For just the 2020 season, the MLB expanded the playoff field from 10 to 16 teams. The top two clubs in each division would qualify for the postseason, with the two best remaining clubs in each league earning the final playoff spots.
The league will go back to the regular postseason format in 2021. The six division winners will qualify for the Division Series, while the two wild card teams in each league will play in a one-game playoff for the remaining playoff spots.
While Major League Baseball aims for a full 162-game season, the NHL is set to begin its 56-game regular season on Wednesday. They hope to conclude the Stanley Cup Final at some point in July before the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan begin.
The NBA began its 72-game regular season on Dec. 22, and they hope to finish the postseason by July 22.
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