Seth Udinski, FISM News
America’s national pastime is set to return in full swing in 2021. Major League Baseball is back after a shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 season was cut short in March during Spring Training, before the regular season began, and did not commence until mid-July. The season lasted only 60 games, and fan attendance was prohibited throughout the regular season.
To the delight of baseball fans across the country, the 2021 campaign is expected to return with some sense of normalcy. A full 162-game regular season is on schedule to begin Thursday April 1 and end on October 3, with a full postseason immediately to follow. All 30 teams have begun their spring training regiments and workouts, with spring exhibition games set to be played throughout the month of March.
Restrictive health and safety protocols are in place for the players and coaches to help prevent possible COVID-19 outbreaks in the clubhouse. MLB executives are optimistic that fans will be allowed in the stands once again, though at limited capacity.
The Los Angeles Dodgers took home the World Series title in the shortened 2020 season, and they look to defend their title behind two dynamic starting pitchers, N.L. Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and future Hall of Fame veteran Clayton Kershaw.