The Phillies will kick off the 2020 season at home against a division rival
The full 2020 Philadelphia Phillies schedule is expected to be released on Monday, but we now know who manager Joe Girardi‘s team will square off against to begin and close the 60-game sprint.
The Phillies will host their 2020 season opener on July 24, opposite their division rival Miami Marlins, according to Craig Mish. To conclude the season, Marc Topkin reports the Phillies will travel south to take on Florida’s other Major League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays, at Tropicana Field.
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Given the shortened slate, the Phillies will face each of their National League East opponents 10 times; likely three series each. Also, they will face the American League East’s New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Rays across the remaining 20 games.
Here is how those games will likely be broken down:
- 6 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays
- 4 games vs. Boston Red Sox
- 4 games vs. Baltimore Orioles
- 3 games vs. New York Yankees
- 3 games vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Phillies were originally slated to begin their 2020 season away at Marlins Park; now, they will start off at home for just the third time since 2015.
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Who will start the 2020 season opener is unknown. Aaron Nola was originally slated to notch his third straight Opening Day start, however he remains absent from the team at Citizens Bank Park due to COVID-19 protocols. Also, No. 2 starter Zack Wheeler may or may not be with the team come July 24, pending a likely late July paternity leave.
While the starter is unknown, it is known that no fans will be in attendance. There will be no handshaking. No spitting. Not even high-fiving. But, for the first time in National League history, there will be a universal designated hitter, along with some other one-off rules unique to the 2020 season.
It will be a crazy ride come July 24, and for the Phillies, it will all start off against the Marlins.