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Are the Chicago Cubs and MLB looking at another shortened season in 2021?
Like last season, we may have to wait a little longer than usual before Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air. Talks between Major League Baseball and the MLBPA continued earlier this week, discussing another potential delay.
A request that was made by the league several weeks ago was shut down by the Player’s Association with the latter planning to begin on time. Training camps are expected to be full and underway by February 18 with spring training to follow right after.
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Due to COVID-19, Major League Baseball was forced to suspend operations and Opening Day 2020 until late-July. The regular-season schedule was then trimmed from 162 games to 60, keeping fans away from stadiums as well. Although it wasn’t a full season, it was great to have baseball back in our lives.
A number of teams had to put their season on hold in order to contain the virus within their organization. This resulted in wild schedules and visiting teams taking the field as the home team on enemy territory.
Despite being able to enjoy a full season, baseball delivered a memorable year filled with the typical drama and excitement. While the North Siders were seemingly counted out early, the National League Central Division crown would be claimed by the 2016 World Series champs yet again.
Unfortunately, their journey was cut short by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the postseason. Their offense was non-existent and failed to back Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish in a must-win 2-0 loss on October 2.
Now they enter the offseason with a different looking roster having cut ties with Jon Lester, Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora. Does skipper David Ross have enough firepower to make it two division titles in a row? The beautiful thing about baseball is knowing anything can happen.
This club may not be done making roster moves which may include trading another key piece of Theo Epstein’s blueprint. Still, the Central is up for grabs for any of the five representing teams. Hopefully, the Reds fail to bring back right-hander Trevor Bauer. The man dominated Chicago last year, beating out Darvish in Cy Young voting to top it off.
Right now fans are hoping everything will begin as scheduled. If, by chance, the 2021 season does start on time, don’t expect fans to be allowed in stadiums right away. Player safety is just as important as fan safety.