The 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season was unlike any other in the sport’s history. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the league played a shortened 60-game regular season and implemented an expanded 16-team playoff format. The postseason, which began on September 29 and concluded on October 27, featured thrilling matchups, historic performances, and a World Series champion crowned at a neutral site.
Expanded Playoff Format
To accommodate the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, MLB and the Players Association agreed to a temporary expansion of the postseason field from 10 to 16 teams for the 2020 season. This format included:
- Three division winners and three second-place teams from each league (seeded 1-6)
- Two additional Wild Card teams from each league (seeded 7-8)
- A best-of-three Wild Card Series, with all games hosted by the higher seed
- Traditional best-of-five Division Series and best-of-seven League Championship Series and World Series
The expanded format provided more teams with the opportunity to compete for a championship, adding excitement and unpredictability to the postseason.
Notable Postseason Performances
The 2020 MLB playoffs showcased incredible individual and team performances:
- Corey Seager’s Dominance: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was named World Series MVP after hitting .400 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs in the series. Seager’s clutch hitting helped lead the Dodgers to their first championship since 1988.
- Randy Arozarena’s Record-Breaking Run: Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena set a new MLB record with 10 home runs in a single postseason. Arozarena’s power surge helped propel the Rays to their second World Series appearance in franchise history.
- “I was just trying to keep my approach and not trying to do too much. I was just trying to make good contact and it worked,” Arozarena said of his historic performance.
World Series: Dodgers vs. Rays
The 2020 World Series featured a matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The series was played entirely at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, to minimize travel and maintain a secure bubble environment.
The Dodgers, led by Seager, Mookie Betts, and Clayton Kershaw, defeated the Rays in six games to claim their seventh World Series title. The series was marked by dramatic moments, including:
- Game 4 Walkoff: Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe hit a walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to even the series at 2-2.
- Kershaw’s Redemption: Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who had previously struggled in the postseason, won two games in the series, including a dominant Game 5 performance.
“This season, this year, this team, everything we’ve battled through, everything we’ve overcome, this one feels special,” Kershaw said after the Dodgers clinched the title.
Dusty Baker’s Historic Achievement
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker became the first manager in MLB history to lead five different teams to the playoffs. Baker, who took over the Astros in the wake of the team’s sign-stealing scandal, guided Houston to the American League Championship Series, where they fell to the Rays in seven games.“I’m just proud of these guys. They’ve been through a lot, and they’ve stuck together,” Baker said of his team’s resilience.
Looking Ahead
As of September 14, 2024, MLB has announced a new partnership with German apparel company Strauss to feature advertisements on player helmets during the upcoming postseason. The 5-by-0.92 inch ads will appear on both sides of every helmet and will run through the 2027 season.
This move follows the introduction of jersey patch ads in 2023 and represents another step in the growing trend of advertising in professional sports. While some fans may object to the commercialization of the game, the revenue generated from these partnerships could help support the league and its teams in an increasingly competitive sports landscape.
As the 2024 MLB postseason approaches, fans can expect to see a mix of familiar faces and rising stars competing for a chance to etch their names in baseball history. With the expanded playoff format now a permanent fixture, the excitement and drama of October baseball will continue to captivate audiences around the world.