The 2020 Major League Baseball season was a unique one due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that caused the schedule to be reduced to 60 games. But the postseason was actually expanded to 16 teams and include an extra Wild Card Series.
One aspect of the postseason that was especially unique was that from the Division Series on, all games were played at neutral sites in Southern California and Texas in order to keep teams safe in bubbles.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, that meant playing all of their games at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, which they essentially made their own home ballpark after spending a month there and winning the World Series.
Because the 2020 postseason and World Series were so successful, many have begun discussing if it makes sense to play at neutral sites every years to limit travel. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred recently discussed the possibility of a switching to a neutral-site World Series model in the coming years, via Eric Prisbell of Sports Business Journal:
“You should always think about innovation,” Manfred told THE DAILY. “I wouldn’t say a neutral-site World Series is completely off the table. There were things that we saw in Texas that were advantages for us. You can plan. You can take out travel. You can pick sites that eliminate weather problems. Those are all things worthy of conversation and discussion. I think the big (weight) on the scale in favor of our traditional format, the thing that really matters at the end of the day, are fans in home markets.”
While the Dodgers winning the World Series for the first time in 32 years was special, it was unfortunate that they didn’t get to clinch in front of 50,000-plus fans at Dodger Stadium.
With MLB letting in a limited attendance for games at at Globe Life Field, Dodgers fans took over the stadium in the World Series to see their team win it all.
So while a neutral-site World Series would not be ideal for those that want to see their team in person, it would not be the biggest issue for many Dodger fans, who travel better than any other team.
Expanded postseason likely here to stay
In addition to neutral sites, it appears the expanded postseason is something from 2020 that MLB may adopt in the future as Manfred has been in favor of it all year.
The 16-team postseason seemed like too many, so hopefully MLB can find the happy medium of adding more teams while also keeping it competitive.
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