The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Indians’ 2021 slate unveiled
While the Indians prepare for the start of their 60-game 2020 schedule, their slate for 2021 was unveiled July 9.
If Major League Baseball and the sporting world returns to regular operation next year, the Indians’ 162-game schedule will begin in Detroit on April 1. The Indians’ 2021 home opener at Progressive Field is scheduled for April 5 against the Royals.
The Tribe will be home on eight weekends during the summer, featuring matchups against the Astros, Rays, Angels and Red Sox. The home series against Houston will put the Indians at home on the July 4 holiday for the first time since 2017.
The 2021 season marks the franchise’s 121st as
a charter member of the American League and will be the 27th year played in Progressive Field.
National League Central clubs will serve as the Indians’ interleague
opponents in 2021. The Reds, Cardinals, Brewers and Cubs are all slated to visit Cleveland during the season.
An April start to next season is no guarantee,
depending on where the world stands in the battle against the novel coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, labor issues which stalled negotiations over a shortened 2020 season
will likely rear again as the collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players association is set to expire in 2021.
Even in the event a COVID-19
vaccine is widely available and the pandemic is over by next spring, a labor strike could result in another shortened — if not canceled — year of baseball.