@PatNeshek @NBCSAthletics #mlb #athletics @Athletics

Major League Baseball appears to be happening in 2020 after all. The shortened season, due to the coronavirus pandemic, will result in a maximum 60-game format. The A’s will report to Oakland for a summer version of Spring Training that is expected to take place at the Oakland Coliseum beginning on July 1. Opening Day will likely be on July 23 or 24. The A’s schedule will be limited solely to teams in the AL West (Angels, Astros, Mariners, and Rangers) and National League West (D-backs, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, and Rockies) for the regular season. The expectation is that the A’s will play 40 games against divisional opponents and 20 games against NL West teams. All games will feature a designated hitter, as MLB is instituting a universal DH as part of the health and safety protocols being put in place for the 2020 season. I’m pretty sure fans will not be allowed at any of the games, even in a socially-distanced fashion.