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MIA 0, STL 3; Marlins lose game, won’t play any more of them in near future due to coronavirus

Major League Baseball finally makes the necessary decision to suspend Spring Training games and push back Opening Day to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

By Ely Sussman Updated
Washington Nationals v Miami Marlins
We’ll have to wait longer than expected to see Jonathan Villar represent the Marlins in a real game.
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The Marlins and Cardinals played a baseball game Thursday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Here’s the box score. José Ureña finished Spring Training with good numbers (1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8 K in 14.0 IP...and 3 HBP). In 20 Grapefruit League games, Miami went 12-6 (with two ties) for a .667 winning percentage, their highest since 2006.

But that’s burying the lede. Major League Baseball just released the following statement in regards to coronavirus:

Following a call with the 30 Clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. today announced that MLB has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic. This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, Clubs and our millions of loyal fans.

MLB will continue to evaluate ongoing events leading up to the start of the season. Guidance related to daily operations and workouts will be relayed to Clubs in the coming days. As of 4:00 p.m. (ET) today, forthcoming Spring Training games have been cancelled, and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games in Tucson, Arizona have been postponed indefinitely.

MLB and the Clubs have been preparing a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular season schedule. MLB will announce the effects on the schedule at an appropriate time and will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible.

Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans. MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts. We send our best wishes to all individuals and communities that have been impacted by coronavirus.

Marlins CEO Derek Jeter subsequently announced that he supports the decision:

Marlins Communications

The lights will remain on at Fish Stripes—we will continue to provide schedule updates, Marlins analysis and commentary. Let’s ride out this storm together.

Fish Picks answer key

  1. Push (Ureña and Wainwright each with three strikeouts)
  2. Under
  3. No
  4. Cardinals

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