The talk of the town has been whether or not Major League Baseball should establish a bubble come playoff time. For weeks now there have been whispers and discussions that have finally turned into a decision. It was reported on September 15, that MLB and the MLBPA had come to terms with an agreement for the postseason.
The plan calls for most of the playoffs to occur in a neutral site for each league. The National League would play in Texas (Globe Life Field and Minute Maid Park) while the American League will battle it out in California (Dodger Stadium and Petco Park). The Wild Card round would take place at the home ballparks of the No. 1-4 seeds.
Before the playoffs start, each team will have to quarantine in a hotel for the last 7 days of the regular season as well as undergo daily COVID testing. The plan also reveals that each team will be allowed a 28-man active roster and a 12-man taxi squad.
Heard the plan right now:
–players on contending teams will have to quarantine at a hotel in the final 7 days of the reg season
—daily COVID testing
—players can elect to leave the hotel if their team is eliminated— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) September 15, 2020
Players on contending teams must leave their homes and stay isolated in hotels for a week beginning Sept. 22 for AL teams and Sept. 23 for NL teams. Teams must submit postseason eligible rosters (28-man active roster and 12 taxi squad players) to #MLB by Sept. 20
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 15, 2020
Teams can grant special exemptions for players to stay at home instead of hotels to players who live by themselves; live with a pregnant spouse/partner or one with medical needs, or have lived with their children most of the season.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 15, 2020
Many fans have come out to oppose such a plan, especially since the regular season was able to be played through without one. Even though the season was able to make this far and likely to finish, it didn’t do so without its fair share of bumps in the road. Teams like the St. Louis Cardinals or the Miami Marlins were hit hard early on the season with many of their players catching the virus.
The playoffs are a crucial time where an all hands on deck practice is so important and losing anyone could shift the balance of powers. Just imagine if the Dodgers were to lose Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, AJ Pollock, or just about any other player(s) when it all could’ve been avoided. A team such as the Dodgers has the depth to fight on, but it sure would sway the outcome of the playoffs. While the bubble may not come off as exciting, it surely is for the best.