The fires and earthquakes all along the West Coast will probably prevent this from happening in 2022. That, or the work stoppage.

I'm glad they're trying to have all teams play on the same Opening Day. The absolute worst is when your team isn't playing on Opening Day.

If there’s no work stoppage……

The fires and earthquakes all along the West Coast will probably prevent this from happening in 2022. That, or the work stoppage.

Or COVID-21.

I'm glad they're trying to have all teams play on the same Opening Day. The absolute worst is when your team isn't playing on Opening Day.

It is the absolute worst.....only slightly worse than the day off the following day. This, of course, is surpassed by that second game being called on account of arctic conditions.

I wish they'd start on the 15th, load up the schedule with Saturday day/night doubleheaders, 9 innings each. (Actually, I'd like real doubleheaders but that's too much for too many. Their loss.)

As for the work stoppage, I'll take the over. I go with baseball starting around 5/1.

5/1/23? Sounds about right...

"If"

one day short of April Fool's Day...

So, you have Tampa, a team that plays inside and you have Boston, a team that plays outside and MLB has them playing in the outdoors venue, in Boston, on March 31. Gosh, what could go wrong?

So, you have Tampa, a team that plays inside and you have Boston, a team that plays outside and MLB has them playing in the outdoors venue, in Boston, on March 31. Gosh, what could go wrong?

Pshaw, it's all warm and sunny in Boston then. Never snows. Ever.

So, you have Tampa, a team that plays inside and you have Boston, a team that plays outside and MLB has them playing in the outdoors venue, in Boston, on March 31. Gosh, what could go wrong?

So when should the Sox play their first home game? April 15? May 1? June? There is a 28% chance of precipitation in Boston on March 31. On April 30th there is, wait for it, 28% chance of precipitation. It's definitely colder on March 31 than April 30 but unless you want northern teams to not play a home game until June that's going to be an issue.

For those of us who follow closely enough to know it’s possible but not close enough to know the ins and outs: how likely is a work stoppage?

So when should the Sox play their first home game? April 15? May 1? June? There is a 28% chance of precipitation in Boston on March 31. On April 30th there is, wait for it, 28% chance of precipitation. It's definitely colder on March 31 than April 30 but unless you want northern teams to not play a home game until June that's going to be an issue.

I feel like people complain about this every year, and like 60-70 percent of the time the weather is fine.

So when should the Sox play their first home game? April 15? May 1? June? There is a 28% chance of precipitation in Boston on March 31. On April 30th there is, wait for it, 28% chance of precipitation. It's definitely colder on March 31 than April 30 but unless you want northern teams to not play a home game until June that's going to be an issue.

The other thing, is the warm-weather teams don't want to have their schedules frontloaded in April and May before school lets out. I think it makes sense, in general, to have Boston and Minnesota open on the road and Tampa and LAA play the first week at home, but it's not possible to keep the northermost cities on the road to completely shield them from dates played in potential freezing conditions.

I feel like people complain about this every year, and like 60-70 percent of the time the weather is fine.

Fine in the sense that the game doesn't get called off, sure. Fine in the sense that the weather is actually suitable for playing and watching baseball, I doubt it's that high.

So, you have Tampa, a team that plays inside and you have Boston, a team that plays outside and MLB has them playing in the outdoors venue, in Boston, on March 31. Gosh, what could go wrong?

I think the Trop is the one stadium for which I'd say the opponent's home stadium is the better option regardless of what's going on there. Like, remember when Roger Waters was touring and played at Wrigley, and the outfield was all kinds of messed up for a couple weeks afterward? Cubs/Rays at Wrigley in the middle of the concert, with crashing planes and falling bricks and pyrotechnics galore would be better than Cubs/Rays in St. Petersburg.

40 degree games or below, first week of the season:

2021 - 5 with 9 other games later in April/May
2019 - 8 with 6 other games
2018 - 21 with 14 other other games
2017 - 2, no other games
2016 - 9, 1 other game
2015 - 2, 4 other games
2014 - 6, 10 other games
2013 - 3, 16 other games
2012 - 1, 2 other games
2011 - 4, 4 other games
2010 - 1, 3 other games

I dunno, just doesn't seem like that big a problem to me, and I've sat through a few of those games!

I dunno, just doesn't seem like that big a problem to me, and I've sat through a few of those games!

As have I (though only one at the big league level). I'll be happy to never have to again.

For those of us who follow closely enough to know it’s possible but not close enough to know the ins and outs: how likely is a work stoppage?

I don't know, but many people who are connected seem to think some sort of work stoppage is near a mortal lock.

Rob Manfred is talking to DraftKings right now about setting the over/under on that work stoppage.

I don't know, but many people who are connected seem to think some sort of work stoppage is near a mortal lock.

It seems to me that there is virtually no reporting on the issue which to me is either very very good news or very very bad news.

It seems to me that there is virtually no reporting on the issue which to me is either very very good news or very very bad news.

It is odd that there has been almost complete radio silence on this, relative to the last time relations were this acrimonious prior to a CBA negotiation. I can't imagine it's because both sides had the good sense not to whine about their horrible plight while the country was dealing with something more important.

Cold weather games are fun if you dress accordingly. I recall an April (night) Cubs-Giants game at Wrigley. I wore my winter coat, a thick fleece top, and a hat, and I was snug as a bug. All around me people in T-shirts and shorts were suffering and leaving early.

I think the same 15 teams should host opening day series. The 5 Californians, the 2 Texans, the 2 Floridians, the DBacks, the Brewers, the Jays, the M's, Atlanta and the Reds (for old times' sake).

After Opening Day it really doesn't matter. You have a chance to be THE story everywhere at once, so take it. The other 15 teams get bonus pops whether their home openers are 3, 6, or 9 days later.