How Many Baseball Games Will Be Played In 2021?

How Many Baseball Games Will Be Played In 2021?
The Major League Baseball season is just around the corner, and fans are wondering how many games will be played.
The answer is still up in the air, but we have some ideas.

Introduction

With the release of the 2021 MLB schedule, fans across the country are wondering how many games will be played this season. The answer is a little complicated, as the schedule is still subject to change due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, we can take a look at the current schedule and make an educated guess as to how many games will be played in 2021.

Assuming that all 30 teams play their full 162-game schedules, there would be a total of 2,430 games played in 2021. However, it’s worth noting that several teams have already had their schedules impacted by COVID-19. The Miami Marlins, for example, had their season opener against the Baltimore Orioles postponed due to positive coronavirus tests within the Marlins organization. It’s possible that other teams will have similar delays throughout the season.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the 2021 MLB All-Star Game has been cancelled. While this doesn’t impact the number of regular season games played, it does mean that there will be one less game played overall in 2021.

Taking all of this into consideration, we estimate that there will be between 2,400 and 2,430 games played in the 2021 MLB season.

MLB’s COVID-19 Protocols

With MLB’s convoluted 60-game schedule in the books, players and teams are now preparing for an abbreviated offseason before gearing up for spring training and what is hopefully a more normal 2021 campaign.

One thing that remains to be seen is how many games will be played next season. That’s because MLB’s COVID-19 protocols, which were put in place during the 2020 season, will carry over into 2021.

Here’s a look at what those protocols entail and how they could impact the number of games played next season:

All players and staff members will be tested for COVID-19 every other day during spring training and the regular season.

Players who test positive for COVID-19 will be isolated from the team and will not be allowed to return until they have cleared all of MLB’s protocols, which include two negative tests at least 24 hours apart. In addition, players who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

If a player tests positive during the season, he will be placed on the injured list and will not be eligible to return until he has cleared all of MLB’s protocols. In addition, any player who has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

These protocols proved to be effective during the 2020 season as there were no widespread outbreaks among teams. In fact, there were only a handful of games postponed or canceled due to positive tests among players or staff members.

The 60-game Season

The 2021 Major League Baseball season will be a 60-game season. According to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, the 60-game schedule will begin on Thursday, April 1 and end on Sunday, October 3. The playoffs will begin on Tuesday, October 5 and end on Monday, November 1.

This schedule is subject to change due to the ongoing pandemic.

MLB’s Economic Struggles

As the country continues to struggle through the Covid-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball is feeling the effects as well. With vaccines still being rolled out and stadium capacity restrictions in place across the country, MLB is facing significant financial challenges that could result in a shortened 2021 season.

According to a report from Bloomberg News, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering a range of options for the 2021 season, including a shortened schedule of as few as 130 games. This would be a significant reduction from the normal 162-game schedule, and would come with a corresponding reduction in revenues.

The league is also said to be considering other cost-cutting measures, such as postponing or eliminating some planned stadium renovations, and reducing salaries for front office personnel and player development staff.

With the pandemic continuing to Rage on, it’s unclear how much longer MLB will be able to weather the financial storm. But with opening day just around the corner, fans can only hope that there will be enough baseball to go around in 2021.

Conclusion

The 2021 Major League Baseball season is still up in the air as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. However, there is still optimism that a full season can be played. If that happens, we can expect around 2,430 games to be played.