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| 2020 Major League Baseball postseason | |
|---|---|
| Title | 2020 Major League Baseball postseason |
| Dates | September 29 – October 27, 2020 |
| Num teams | 16 |
| Champions | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Runner-up | Tampa Bay Rays |
| Mvp | Corey Seager |
| Prevseason | 2019 |
| Nextseason | 2021 |
2020 Major League Baseball postseason The 2020 Major League Baseball postseason expanded to a 16-team field during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic and influenced by protocols from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state governments such as California Department of Public Health and Florida Department of Health. The format change produced additional rounds and neutral-site considerations, bringing postseason action to regions including Globe Life Field, Petco Park, and Tropicana Field while teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays advanced through a bracket culminating in a Fall Classic played amid heightened public-health measures.
The 2020 regular season and postseason were shaped by negotiations involving Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner of Baseball, and club owners represented by entities such as the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. A temporary schedule of 60 games resulted from agreements with states and municipal authorities like the New York State Department of Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The postseason expanded from a 10-team model to a 16-team bracket, following proposals similar to recent discussions in the Mitchell Report era and echoing formats used in competitions like the UEFA Champions League. The expanded field included eight teams per league with a best-of-three Wild Card Series hosted by higher seeds, best-of-five Division Series, best-of-seven Championship Series, and best-of-seven World Series.
Teams qualified based on winning percentage during the 60-game regular season overseen by the Commissioner's Office and metrics referenced by front offices such as the Boston Red Sox analytics department and the Oakland Athletics baseball operations staff. The American League seeds included division champions like the Minnesota Twins and wild-card entrants such as the Toronto Blue Jays (playing home games in Sahlen Field and later TD Ballpark considerations). The National League featured division winners like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves alongside wild cards including the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres. Tie-breaking procedures reflected rules codified by the Playing Rules Committee and arbitration precedents involving the Major League Baseball Players Association.
The Wild Card Series featured best-of-three matchups that pitted top seeds against eighth seeds, producing early exits for clubs such as the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets. Notable matchups included the Miami Marlins facing the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park, the San Diego Padres hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park, and the Cleveland Indians against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. Managers like Joe Maddon, Joe Girardi, and Kevin Cash navigated shortened rotation strategies, while pitchers including Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, and Trevor Bauer were central to outcomes. The series structure amplified the roles of bullpens managed by staff from clubs such as the Houston Astros and New York Mets.
Division Series matchups shifted momentum through strategic deployments by front offices like the Tampa Bay Rays analytics group and the Los Angeles Dodgers player development staff. The Dodgers faced the San Diego Padres while the Rays met the New York Yankees; the Atlanta Braves squared off with the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs opposed the Miami Marlins in National League altercations influenced by managers like Alex Cora and David Ross. Starting pitchers including Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell, Walker Buehler, and Zack Wheeler pitched critical games, while hitters such as Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Giancarlo Stanton provided offensive bursts.
The Championship Series comprised the American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros and the National League Championship Series (NLCS) featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. Tactical decisions by managers like Kevin Cash and Kevin Cash's pitching matchups contrasted with opponent strategists from the Houston Astros, including general manager Jeff Luhnow's earlier constructions and manager Dusty Baker's in-game adjustments. Core performers such as Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Gerrit Cole, and Brandon Lowe had outsized impacts on series outcomes, with data-driven approaches from teams like the Tampa Bay Rays front office and scouting inputs from the Los Angeles Dodgers contributing to roster construction.
The World Series matched the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Tampa Bay Rays in a series played entirely in Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas under protocols influenced by the Texas Department of State Health Services and Major League Baseball operations. The Dodgers clinched their first title since 1988, propelled by MVP Corey Seager and contributions from veterans like Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, and Justin Turner. The Rays relied on pitching from Blake Snell and bullpen management by Kevin Cash and offensive sparks from players such as Randy Arozarena and Yandy Díaz. The Fall Classic featured umpires overseen by the Major League Baseball Umpires Association and was broadcast with talent including commentators from Fox Sports and analysts from ESPN.
The postseason produced historic achievements: Randy Arozarena set records for home runs by a rookie in a single postseason, while Corey Seager captured NLCS and World Series honors. Pitchers like Blake Snell and Tony Gonsolin delivered pivotal starts; hitters such as Mookie Betts, José Altuve, Brett Phillips, and Mike Zunino posted clutch performances. Teams and players referenced analytics departments like those of the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers for matchup advantages. Several records tied to expanded format dynamics echoed milestones from events like the 2004 World Series and statistical benchmarks maintained by organizations including Baseball-Reference and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Broadcast rights held by networks including Fox Sports, TBS, and ESPN shaped national coverage with announcers affiliated with franchises such as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Ratings were influenced by concurrent sports programming such as the National Football League and scheduling adjustments due to the pandemic. Production innovations involved remote commentary protocols similar to those used in National Basketball Association coverage and cooperation with local broadcasters like WABC-TV and KCBS-TV. The postseason's media footprint extended to digital platforms operated by MLB Advanced Media and international distribution coordinated with partners including Sportsnet and DAZN.
Category:Major League Baseball postseason seasons