Virus throws baseball’s schedule another curve as Cards are sidelined

The Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds were the first teams to try out baseball’s new time-saving measure — a doubleheader with seven-inning games.

They ended up having a long day anyway after the opener was delayed over two hours because of rain, and the two games took five hours to play.

It’s been that kind of season so far for Major League Baseball. The coronavirus has wreaked havoc with the schedule and delivered another blow Monday with seven St. Louis Cardinals players and six staff members testing positive for COVID-19, causing the league to postpone the team’s four-game series at Detroit. The series was to have been played at Comerica Park from Tuesday through Thursday.

There were already questions about whether teams can realistically play the 60 games originally slated for them.

By the end of the night Sunday, 12 teams had played 10 games, but six had played seven or fewer. The Miami Marlins (2-1) made it through just three before a virus outbreak sidelined them. The Philadelphia Phillies (1-2) played those three games against the Marlins and were shut down as well. The Cardinals previously had their series with Milwaukee called off.

Shortened doubleheaders are one way to make up games, but Commissioner Rob Manfred said long days at the ballpark are a concern because of the virus. Making doubleheader games seven innings can help, at least in theory.

A shorter game can take less of a toll on a team’s bullpen.

“It’s almost like one good way to look at it is the first inning becomes the third inning,” Reds manager David Bell said before Sunday’s games.