Today MLB released its new schedule for the shortened and long-awaited 2020 60-game season. It is a crazy race, and if it happens for sure it will be ridiculously fun.
As previously reported, the Cubs opened things up on July 24 at Wrigley Field against the Brewers, and we now see things closing in late September against the White Sox on the South Side.
The Cubs actually get 7 of their 10 games against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, and the same goes for the Brewers. It’s just the way the schedule unfolded (the Cubs, in turn, hit the road 7 out of 10 against the Reds and Pirates). With 10 games against each divisional opponent, it makes * some * sense to use traditional series lengths, even when it leads to imbalance. But I can’t lie: This seems to favor the Cubs significantly, even when you consider the lack of fans. It still seems like a team will play better in their local park, sleeping in their own beds, etc. Heck, given the anxiety about traveling this year, the advantage of playing at home could be even more important this year.
As expected, the Cubs face the White Sox six times as the “rival” of the interleague, thus facing the rest of the American League Central: Indians 4, Royals 4, Twins 3, Tigers 3. Three of those six games against the White Sox? They come at a guaranteed rate in the final series of the season. That would be crazy if two playoff runs were decided at once, huh?
The Cubs generally have days off at a reasonable pace, though two come in close succession during a home stand in September. I guess it’s a programming quirk and / or a form of an easy makeup day if need be. Some of the days off also occur in the middle of road trips or home stalls, which is strange. Once again, it could be a whim of the schedule or a way to preserve common makeup days, but it will be strange that players can’t spend their days off at home.
If the season happens, here’s what it will look like (via NBC Sports Chicago and Cubs Insider):
7/24 – Brewers
7/25 – Brewers
7/26 – Brewers
7/27 – @ Reds
7/28 – @ Reds
7/29 – @ Reds
7/30 – @ reds
7/31 – Pirates
1/8 – Pirates
2/8 – Pirates
3/8 – Royals
4/8 – Real
5/8 – @ Royals
6/8 – @ Royals
7/8 – @ Cardinals
8/8 – @ Cardinals
9/8 – @ Cardinals
10/8 – FREE DAY
11/8 – @ indios
12/8 – @ indios
8/13 – Brewers
8/14 – Brewers
8/15 – Brewers
8/16 – Brewers
8/17 – Cardinals
8/18 – Cardinals
8/19 – Cardinals
8/20 – FREE DAY
8/21 – White Sox
8/22 – White Sox
8/23 – White Sox
8/24 – @ Tigres
8/25 – @ Tigres
8/26 – @ Tigres
8/27 – FREE DAY
8/28 – @ Reds
8/29 – @ Reds
8/30 – @ Reds
8/31 – FREE DAY
1/9 – @ Pirates
2/9 – @ Pirates
9/3 – @ pirates
4/9 – Cardinals
5/9 – Cardinals
9/6 – Cardinals
9/7 – Cardinals
9/8 – Reds
9/9 – Reds
10/10 – Reds
11/9 – @ Brewers
12/9 – @ Brewers
9/13 – @ Brewers
9/14 – FREE DAY
9/15 – Indians
09/16 – Indians
09/17 – FREE DAY
9/18 – Cufflinks
9/19 – Cufflinks
9/20 – Cufflinks
9/21 – @ Pirates
9/22 – @ Pirates
09/23 – @ Pirates
09/24 – @ Pirates
9/25 – @ White Sox
9/26 – @ White Sox
9/27 – @ White Sox
The Cubs also just posted a fun video about the schedule launch:
Experts have put the finishing touches on our 2020 calendar. Pic.twitter.com/e9xaU6LxF8
– Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 6, 2020
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