Photo Credit: mlb.com
Well, believe it or not, ladies and gentlemen, the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is just days away from starting again. It is likely much-anticipated, as, after last season was delayed until July (which meant only 60 games were played per team), this season looks like it is going to have a more “normal” feel to it.
The MLB plans to stick to its regular 162-game slate this year, and also brings back two rule changes it introduced last year. Extra innings will start with a runner on second base once again, and doubleheaders will include seven-inning games. However, one rule that baseball has decided not to reinstate is the universal DH, so pitchers will be batting in National League parks again, which has been faced with much controversy.
All eyes will be on how the season will be managed this year. Throughout last season, many games saw postponements due to positive cases of COVID-19, and it is expected that similar circumstances will happen again this season, especially seeing how the NBA has been hit, even throughout its currently-successful campaign.
Additionally, some will probably be tempted to look at the current situation with the MLB’s CBA agreement with the Players’ Association, as the current deal expires after this season. Multiple league officials have said that it is very possible that a lockout will happen, especially given how tenuous the negotiations were between the owners and players last year to get the delayed season started.
Of course the reigning champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who, after winning the World Series last year, will look to defend their title this year. They made perhaps the biggest offseason acquisition a couple of months ago when they signed the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, Trevor Bauer.
In addition, other teams that have been in talks to be in contention for a championship this season include the New York Yankees (former strikeout leader Gerrit Cole, MVP candidates DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge), Chicago White Sox (reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu, former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, and new manager Tony LaRussa), San Diego Padres (young star Fernando Tatis Jr., 4-time All Star Manny Machado).
However, there are also some under-the-radar teams to look out for, including the St. Louis Cardinals (5-time All-Star Nolan Arenado and Hank Aaron Award winner Paul Goldschmidt), Philadelphia Phillies (former Rookie of the Year and MVP Bryce Harper and players like JT Realmuto, Zack Wheeler, and Didi Gregorius), Toronto Blue Jays (new additions George Springer and Marcus Semien, and young players Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr.), and even more!
So, get excited, baseball fans, because the MLB is indeed back, and this should be a very interesting season to indulge!
