If you know me then you know that this time of year is always something I look forward to. Baseball season is now upon us and a full regular season at that. After a 2020 season that was shortened due to the COVID epidemic and all the shutdowns that it caused baseball has undergone some big changes going into 2021. Last year teams played a 60 game season as opposed to the regular 162 game season while the minor league season was entirely wiped out due to COVID therefore even with major leaguers playing there were still thousands of minor league players who did not play an inning of baseball in 2020. With all of that we must still give credit to MLB that they were able to pull off the shortened season with a few hiccups but still get playoffs and a World Series played without major disruption.
So what can we look forward to in 2021 around baseball? Well it might depend on what teams you are routing for. As someone who watches the Blue Jays a lot, I am looking forward to watching this team with all the young stars such as Guerrero Jr, Biggio and Bichette continue to develop in their own and separate themselves from their famous fathers' shadows. The Jays excited their fanbase this offseason with several moves but the biggest move was the signing of Outfielder George Springer from the Houston Astros. The Jays have an exciting team but also a talented team that should give teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees a run for their money in the East division. Unfortunately for the Jays, with the Canadian government still having the borders closed, they will have to play at least their first three home stands at their spring training home in Dunedin. While the American teams get to play in their home stadiums and welcome in a percentage of fans from the jump, the Jays will home to return to Canada for the first time since 2019 when they last played a home game in Toronto. Hopefully this will not deter from the possibilities of what this season could bring for this team.
The goal is obviously the World Series in October and last October the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988 after defeating the Rays in six games. The Dodgers have a great lineup offensively and also on the mound. Their manager, Dave Roberts, who is of Asian and Black heritage has had several disappoints in the playoffs but made all the right moves in the shortened 2020 season to lead the Dodgers to the championship. In 2021, Los Angeles may just be as good a team as in 2020 and that cannot be good for the rest of baseball.
With that said, I'm looking forward to watching these two teams and all the rest of the action this summer in a 2021 season which will be 162 games, last 6 months and hopefully will be played without an COVID incidents from players or from fans. The last thing we need are fans going to games even if capacity is limited at stadiums, and infecting other fans. Here's to a great season of Major League Baseball.
Comentarios