Handicapping the MLB Shortened Season
By hook or by crook the 2020 MLB season will begin, albeit more than 4 months delayed.Due to the pandemic, the 2020 MLB campaign will be shortened to a 60-game season.
With, here it, here is an illuminating report on how each MLB team has fared over the past three regular seasons in 60-game spans, both to start the season and to conclude the year.
American League Teams
Quick Starters
The Good
- Houston Astros
- New York Yankees
- Boston Red Sox
The Bad
- Kansas City Royals
- Baltimore Orioles
- Detroit Tigers
First 60 Games of the Season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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National League Teams
Quick Starters
The Good
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Milwaukee Brewers
The Bad
- Miami Marlins
- Cincinnati Reds
- San Diego Padres
First 60 Games of the Season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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American League Teams
Solid Finishers
The Good
- Cleveland Indians
- Houston Astros
- Oakland Athletics
The Bad
- Detroit Tigers
- Baltimore Orioles
- Kansas City Royals
Final 60 Games of the Season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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National League Teams
Solid Finishers
The Good
- Milwaukee Brewers
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Washington Nationals
The Bad
- Miami Marlins
- San Francisco Giants
- Cincinnati Reds
Final 60 Games of the Season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Note: A handful of teams saw their season conclude with only 161 games played. In those cases these teams are represented with results played over the span of the final 59 games played.
So the question begs – will teams approach this year’s 60-game season as if it’s the first 60 games on the schedule, or the final 60 games? That is the big question. My thought is more the latter, with the reward being a ticket to the postseason being just around the corner for teams fortunate enough to qualify.
If your'e looking for the largest differences from the first 60 to the final 60 games, then keep an eye on the below.
American League
Net Difference
Last 3 years
The Good
- Cleveland +40 (+6 to +46)
- Tampa Bay +20 (+8 to +28)
The Bad
- Detroit -47 (-20 to -67)
- Oakland -42 (+36 to -6)
- L.A. Angeles -20 (0 to -20)
National League
Net Difference
Last 3 Years
The Good
- St. Louis +36 (-4 to +32)
- New York Mets +26 (-16 to +10)
- Colorado +20 (-2 to +18)
- Arizona +19 (+8 to +27)
- Philadelphia +18 (-26 to -8)
The Bad
- San Francisco -44 (+6 to -38)
Okay, let’s play ball!
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