Report: MLB considering two playoff bubbles, neutral-site World Series at Globe Life Field
Major League Baseball's shortened regular season is almost at the finish line. With the postseason set to get underway later this month, the league has begun discussing potential options for what will be a very different playoff scenario.
As multiple teams have dealt with coronavirus outbreaks, continuing on with the same format doesn't seem feasible. In light of that, the league reportedly is considering a bubble format with a neutral-site World Series at the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Rosenthal notes that the American League bubble would be in California, given the state's three major-league ballparks. The National League bubble would be in Texas because of the state's two parks. The AL bubble would be played at two of the three California stadiums.
With this format, it appears MLB is looking to avoid having teams play in their home stadiums. In the AL, games would take place in NL parks, or one AL park with the Los Angeles Angels likely missing the postseason. The NL teams would play in AL parks in Texas.
The Wild Card round reportedly still is up in the air. The MLB and MLBPA have yet to decide if a bubble for those series would work.
Entering a bubble situation could be the best thing for MLB. We've seen the NHL and NBA successfully eliminate the risk of COVID-19 infection by keeping players in an isolated situation, and it's certainly something that MLB can't ignore.
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