MLB Opening Weekend #StayAtHome Preview: New York and Philly Edition

It isn’t the same as a full stadium on a spring day, but it does feel good to have baseball back.

This COVID19-ravaged season may not even complete, if the pandemic takes a hold of some of the ballplayers or coaches. But for now, there is hope – and live ballgames to look forward to.

So since it has been a while since the off-season and spring training, so let’s get fans up to date on where we are – as viewers, fans, ticket buyers, season ticket holders.

When do the real games start?
To begin MLB’s Opening Day, The New York Yankees go to Washington, D.C. to play the World Series champion Nationals on Thursday, July 23 at 7:08pm E.T. The following evening, the New York Mets host the rival Atlanta Braves in Queens at 4:10pm E.T. The Philadelphia Phillies host NL East foe Miami Marlins Friday night at 7:05pm E.T.

Next week, the Yankees and Phillies host a home-and-home against each other.

What is the schedule looking like this year?
Each team will play a 60-game schedule. Both the Mets and the Phillies will play 40 games against their NL East rivals – 10 games against each team – and also play 20 games against the American League East. The Yankees will play 40 games against their AL East rivals and play the National League East 20 times. No doubleheaders scheduled. Playoffs has been expanded this season to 16 teams, starting and ending in October.

So fans can’t go to any games, right?
Correct. Since New York State and Pennsylvania have issued orders prohibiting all large gatherings at this time, none of these ballgames will have ticketed fans at the games. In Philly, since the city government has prohibited large gatherings through 2020 there will definitely be no scaled-down ticket sales. In New York, it is highly doubtful even a scaled-down single game ticket opportunity, say, only to season ticket holders or suite holders will be offered.

But, hey, there is a new MLB app where fans can “boo” and “cheer” from home.

What if I bought season tickets or individual tickets to a game?
For season ticket holders, refunds are available for the April and May games that were not played. In addition, teams are offering that money can be rolled over as a deposit towards 2021 season tickets. The New York Mets are offering a 20 percent credit for 2021 tickets if buyers choose to provide that deposit; the Yankees are offering a 10 percent credit.

For single game buyers of April and May games, refunds have been available. If you bought via a resale site like StubHub or Vivid Seats, buyers should contact their point of purchase directly to request a refund or credit towards a future purchase.

If you are seeking to buy or keep your 2021 season but could use a partner or buyer of some games, fill out this form with info on your seat locations, what you would paid per seat and how many games you could use help with.

How are these teams looking this shortened season?
In a shortened season, who knows? All you need is to get hot at the right time. The Nationals last season were 19-31 in May before making a run and winning the 2019 World Series. Still, the New York Yankees are still considered a heavy favorite to win the AL East and the World Series. For the Phillies and Mets, both are considered fringe contenders to win their division or a wild card spot, though the tougher schedule they both face playing the AL East may put them at a disadvantage.

Here are some in-depth previews for each team:

Yankees
-From Lindsey Adler of The Athletic
-From Bill Madden of the New York Daily News
-From the New York Post’s Yankees section

Mets
-From Newsday‘s Mets section
-Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on Twitter
-John Harper on SNY – 10 bold MLB predictions, including what’s in store for the Mets and Yankees

Phillies
-From Matt Gelb of The Athletic
-Meghan Montemurro also of The Athletic on Twitter
-From NBC Sports Philadelphia‘s Phillies section