MLB tried to play its shortened season without the help of a bubble, and that resulted in two separate outbursts of COVID-19 that threw the regular season schedule into disarray. MLB would understandably want to prevent that before the playoffs, as they have apparently discussed a solution. Yup, you guessed it: a bubble.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, MLB is investigating the possibility of using a bubble format for its newly expanded playoffs.
NHL format could fit best
With the postseason expanding to 16 teams this season, Passan reported that a single-bubble NBA-style would be difficult to execute. Instead, MLB is apparently considering the NHL’s approach to using hubs. Teams would be divided into groups in different cities and stay in the same place for a longer period of time, which would reduce travel, reduce travel risks, and allow for stricter protests for health and safety.
The classification of the NHL’s bubble cities has been successful, with zero positive tests since they started playing again. After two outbursts, one of which is still going on, it should look mightily attractive to MLB.
MLB is considering using a bubble format for the playoffs. (Photo by Mark Cunningham / MLB Photos by Getty Images)
MLB could need four cities
There are many ways to share and gamble a hub approach. The NHL has used two Canadian cities as its hubs, but with 16 playoff teams, MLB was able to double that. Since multiple available ball parks would be required, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles are obvious competitors. Additional hubs could be set up in nearby cities such as Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and San Diego.
MLB was also able to explore with just California for the playoffs, taking advantage of Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium in Los Angeles, Petco Park in San Diego, Oracle Park in San Francisco, and even the Oakland Coliseum.
There are, of course, tons of possible complications. Try to have multiple playoff games in one day in the same stadium, present problems with warm-up and practice time, disinfection of clubhouses, and start times for play. But since one positive test would put $ 1 billion in playoff TV revenue in serious jeopardy, MLB has a lot of incentives to make this work.
