MLB Sets Up Plan For Bubble Format During Postseason

The bubble concept has really worked well for the NBA and NHL. Outside of a few hiccups related to players violating bubble rules, the in-game product has been really solid in both sports and it’s created a blueprint for other leagues during the coronavirus pandemic.

Major League Baseball has moved forward with its own version of a bubble for the playoffs. With more than two weeks of the regular season left, the MLB is in the process of establishing a plan for where postseason games will be played. The plan is expected to be approved by sometime next week, but awaits approval from the MLB’s player union.

As a part of the MLB’s new 16-team playoff format, each of the eight wild card series will be hosted entirely by the top four seeds in both the American and National League. From that point, the Divisional, Championship and World Series will all be held in neutral sites. The ALDS and NLDS will take place in Arlington, Houston, Los Angeles and San Diego. The ALCS and NLCS will be in San Diego and Arlington, respectively. Finally, the World Series will take place in Arlington from October 20 to October 28.

The limited travel by teams is sure to lower the chances of players contracting coronavirus. Even with an abbreviated 60-game schedule, coronavirus has made a major impact, with numerous disruptions throughout the season. Forty-five games have been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

On Friday night, a game between the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants in San Diego was postponed after someone in the Giants organization tested positive for coronavirus. Thirty minutes after the game was originally set to be played, the Padres announced the reason for the postponement.

The Padres and the Giants were scheduled to play a three-game series through Sunday. With the playoffs set to start soon, it will be interesting to see if any of the postponed games will actually be played before season’s end.

Read the full story at ESPN