MLB Reportedly Will Opt for a Postseason Bubble Format

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (13). Photo by Peter Joneleit/CSM/Shutterstock (10367580e)

Major League Baseball is reportedly on the way to implementing a “bubble” plan for its October postseason, copying a format that has worked successfully for both the NBA and the NHL this summer after the leagues returned from the COVID-19 induced break.

Major League Baseball, which opted for a non-bubble format for its 60-game regular season in July, August, and September, has reportedly come to the decision that in order for its expanded postseason to go off without a hitch, the bubble format will be necessary.

While the three-game Wild Card rounds would be played in the home cities of the top-seeded teams in each matchup, beginning with the Division Series, teams would be concentrated in Texas and Southern California for the most important rounds of the playoffs.

Minute Maid Park and Dodger Stadium would be used alongside Petco Park and Globe Life Field to host the Division Series games. After that, the NLCS would be held in Texas at the Rangers’ home stadium while the ALCS would take place in San Diego at the Padres’ home.

Finally, the World Series would take place at the Rangers’ new home stadium of Globe Life Park to wrap up the playoffs.

The league is expected to approve its plan next week, just two weeks before the playoffs are set to get underway.