So will there be a 2020 season?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I can see why there would be hesitation since the Jays and Nats will have no more games against each other after today (unlike the Yankees and Orioles who can move a future matchup around), but nothing is going according to plan anyways this season.

Playing the Phillies this weekend and switching a future Phillies date around with the Marlins would work, but yeah... I don't know if you want to expose Nats players to that risk. At least until you are certain that the infection was only to those 3 staff members (including visitor locker room attendant from before).

the problem with letting Philly travel and play is that we don't know if the positives are isolated or the tip of an outbreak on the team

[RobDibblesGhost]

So now there are a few teams who aren't going to get to 60 games at this rate. With so few games, that has major implications on any potential postseason. I just don't see this working out...

[Smithian]

Yeah I understand it would mess with the scheduling, but I think it is unrealistic at this point to think any team is going to play exactly the 60 games it has scheduled. Everyone should focus on just trying to get to 60 however they can while staying healthy.

I'm happy with "Play as many as possible"

Make this miserable year a bit more fun

[tenken627]

I'd say move Tor @ PHI here, but it is Toronto's home park so the Phillies might object.

As for the two staffers who were positive, wanna guess if they are clubhouse attendants who were working in the visiting clubhouse when Miami was in town?

One of the positives was a Phillies coach, the other a home locker room attendant (as well as the earlier positive visitor locker room attendant).

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/07/one-phillies-coach-one-clubhouse-staffer-test-positive-for-covid-19.html

The coach I'm assuming is probably a 1B or 3B coach next to a Marlins player? Those 2 spots were probably closest to a Marlins the most in their series.

[bluestreak]

https://sports.theonion.com/rob-manfred-frustrated-mlb-season-falling-apart-despite-1844547114

[Duke of Earl]

To address the concern about coaches, who are more vulnerable because of age, it seems simple to me: eliminate them from the game.  Players can coach first and third, and for that matter, manage the team. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

To address the concern about coaches, who are more vulnerable because of age, it seems simple to me: eliminate them from the game.  Players can coach first and third, and for that matter, manage the team. 

players  coaching 1st and 3d might work.  As for manager / bench coach / pitching coach, maybe they could work via tablets, cell phones, etc..., except in Houston.

[The Chief]

I think the extra inning rule is ok.   Brings a lot more strategy into it than I would have thought.   It's probably a more legitimate tie breaker than position players pitching in the 17th inning.

I do really hate the DH as much as I thought I did.   Bench players are now almost pointless, and it's all about the home runs.   

I really failed at keeping up with the off-season, what is the new extra innings rule?  And am I correct in assuming that the new baseball-wide DH is permanent?

[Kevrock]

I really failed at keeping up with the off-season, what is the new extra innings rule?  And am I correct in assuming that the new baseball-wide DH is permanent?

In extra innings you start with a runner on second.

And yes.

[Kevrock]

I hated the runner on second at first but I'm starting to really like it. Like you, nfotiu, I'm surprised at how much strategy it adds (at least at first). Big advantage to being home team, also.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I really failed at keeping up with the off-season, what is the new extra innings rule?  And am I correct in assuming that the new baseball-wide DH is permanent?

they don't say the dh is permanent, but there's suspicion they want it to be.  Whoever "they" are.

[bluestreak]

they don't say the dh is permanent, but there's suspicion they want it to be.  Whoever "they" are.

Players association badly wants it.

[imref]

Seems odd that in a season that should be favorable to the Marlins given their experience playing in empty stadiums, they can’t play.

[2k6nats]

I really failed at keeping up with the off-season, what is the new extra innings rule?  And am I correct in assuming that the new baseball-wide DH is permanent?

Not yet, but it may turn out that way. Among the MLBPA, the pro-DH camp (current DHs, veteran hitters looking for that sweet age 35, 3yr/30m DH money) is bound to be more vocal than the pro-pitcher hitting bunch (pitchers who can hit, traditionalists).

[1995hoo]

players  coaching 1st and 3d might work.  As for manager / bench coach / pitching coach, maybe they could work via tablets, cell phones, etc..., except in Houston.

Why couldn’t the manager be in the stands reasonably close to the dugout, but far enough to keep his distance from exposure?

[GburgNatsFan]

I'd start the 10th with a runner on 1st. Then start any subsequent innings with a runner on 2nd. With the three batter minimums it just seems like too much change.

Although, it did make last night much more exciting.

I hated the runner on second at first but I'm starting to really like it. Like you, nfotiu, I'm surprised at how much strategy it adds (at least at first). Big advantage to being home team, also.

[bluestreak]

I'd start the 10th with a runner on 1st. Then start any subsequent innings with a runner on 2nd. With the three batter minimums it just seems like too much change.

Although, it did make last night much more exciting.

I think the reason you don’t do that is that it makes the double play way too likely. And also makes scoring less likely. Runner on first with no outs, teams scores 41 percent of time. Runner on second 61 percent. I’d think you’d want someone scoring in these innings more often than not.

[tenken627]

Wait. They are trying to make the probable double headers each 7 innings only?

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1288987551638970368?s=20

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Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
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Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to stage seven-inning doubleheaders starting Aug. 1, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.

[bluestreak]

Wait. They are trying to make the probable double headers each 7 innings only?

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1288987551638970368?s=20

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Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
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Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to stage seven-inning doubleheaders starting Aug. 1, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.

FFS. This isn’t even baseball anymore.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

FFS. This isn’t even baseball anymore.

it's not MLB, but this has been done for years in the minors.

[varoadking]

Wait. They are trying to make the probable double headers each 7 innings only?

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1288987551638970368?s=20

Thread
See new Tweets
Tweet
Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
·
9m
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to stage seven-inning doubleheaders starting Aug. 1, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.

So do you start the 8th inning in a tied 7 inning game with a runner on second, or do you call it a tie?

[bluestreak]

So do you start the 8th inning in a tied 7 inning game with a runner on second, or do you call it a tie?

The next Passan tweet says runner on second starting in the 8th.

[varoadking]

The next Passan tweet says runner on second starting in the 8th.

Thx...

[tenken627]

FFS. This isn’t even baseball anymore.

And when we finally appear to have a semi-decent bullpen too
 

[GataNats]

Pitching Rainey way too much.   His velocity has dropped