Major League Baseball (MLB) has kicked off the 2021-2022 baseball season. Unlike last year with the pandemic happening during the season, the league is returning to more normality.
This season, fans are allowed at the games, unlike last year. However, most stadiums are not allowing full capacity. The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros are allowing fans at full capacity. The fans make a big difference to the games. They create a better atmosphere for the players, so the players are happy to have the fans back in the stands.
Last year, the season was shortened to a 60 game schedule. The MLB has returned to their regular 162 game schedule this year. Some players preferred the shortened season because it was easier on their bodies. Other players are really looking forward to getting to play more games.
There are a lot of new faces on teams this year. In the offseason, teams made a lot of big moves.
The San Diego Padres were one of the main teams making moves this offseason to increase their chances of winning the World Series title. The Padres picked up the Tampa Bay Rays ace Blake Snell to help boost their pitching rotation. They also acquired Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs, as well as Joe Musgrove from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The longtime Cleveland Indian Francisco Lindor was moved in a huge trade to the New York Mets and ended up signing a ten-year, $341 million contract extension with the Mets. Pitcher Trevor Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Signing Bauer boosted their already loaded roster, helping them to increase their chances of returning to the World Series this year.
Being several games into the season, some teams are off to hot starts. Some of the teams with successful starts were expected, and some were not.
EMU student Cam Earles is into baseball and follows the MLB. His favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, is off to a great start this season and he is really excited about the season.
“It is good to see them get off to a good start especially after the season they had last year. Hopefully, it is the start of a turnaround for the team, I am excited to continue to watch them throughout the season,” said Earles.
The season is still early so it will be fun to watch how the season continues going forward.
