When Will MLB Return, When Will Detroit Tigers Start Their 2020 Season?

Attention, Detroit baseball enthusiasts! Prepare yourselves for a slight change in plans. Major League Baseball has officially postponed the Tigers’ highly anticipated opening day with no set reschedule date.

MLB made an announcement on Monday, March 16, stating that the start of the 2020 season will be postponed until an unspecified future date. As a result, the exact commencement of Detroit’s play this year remains uncertain.

The latest information on Tigers’ opening day 2020

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that MLB is abiding by the most recent guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Presently, the CDC advises the cancellation or postponement of all gatherings involving at least 50 individuals scheduled within the next eight weeks.

As a result, it appears that the Tigers’ potential start date for playing is in May, but even that might be overly optimistic.

At present, the situation in Michigan is extremely dynamic, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer announcing the first confirmed cases of coronavirus in her state on Monday.

After declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer may now consider implementing measures such as banning gatherings or closing public schools.

While there is a possibility that the situation may improve in a few months, allowing coaches, gameday staff, players, and umpires to resume their work, it is not certain whether the Tigers or MLB would permit spectators at Comerica Park.

Why MLB may start its season without spectators

It is highly possible that games could be played without fans in attendance, which the Tigers might find acceptable due to two reasons.

To begin with, mitigating the current revenue loss being experienced by Detroit is crucial. The sooner the Tigers can commence playing games that can be broadcasted by their media partners, the more beneficial it will be for their financial performance.

Additionally, by prohibiting fans from entering Comerica, the transmission of the virus can be further constrained. Not only do fans congregate closely together within the stadium during baseball games, but Major League Baseball venues are also abundant with various surfaces that can harbor the virus for an extended period of time.

The Tigers would greatly benefit from initiating games, even if there are no spectators, due to Michigan’s legal sportsbooks.

Games + live betting on the contests = revenue

A specific provision in Michigan’s sports betting legislation aims to favorably impact the financial performance of the Tigers. Nevertheless, this requirement solely applies to a particular aspect of MLB betting.

In order to regulate live bets, Michigan requires sportsbook licensees to utilize official data sources. This ensures that accurate information is used to determine outcomes, such as predicting whether Miguel Cabrera will strike out during a specific plate appearance.

Sportsbooks will continue to offer markets for MLB games, including popular in-game bets, even if parks remain empty of spectators when the games resume.

As a result of the mandate, sportsbooks such as the FanDuel book located at MotorCity Casino are required to purchase data from MLB’s authorized providers, who in turn have to compensate MLB for earning this distinction.

The member franchises of MLB are granted a portion of the revenue, allowing the Tigers to reap the benefits from betting activities on baseball games.

The action cannot commence until the games officially begin. Currently, there is optimism for a May start, but the uncertainty surrounding the situation makes it impossible to provide any assurances. Until MLB issues further updates, the specific date for the Tigers’ opening day remains unknown.