On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled.[1] Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks.[2]
On June 23, commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported to training camps on July 1 in order to resume spring training and prepare for a July 24 Opening Day.[3]
The Cardinals made the expanded playoffs but lost to the San Diego Padres in the NLWCS. The Cardinals suffered just their second winner-take-all game loss in the postseason over their last 10 winner-take-all postseason games played dating back to 2002 (2012 NLCS Game 7 being the other).
Regular season
On August 13, the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox were scheduled to play the first ever MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa. But due to the pandemic and the MLB commissioner announcing the 60-game season and that the AL and NL will play against each other in the same division, the Yankees were taken off the match. On July 1, MLB announced that the Cardinals will replace the Yankees in the game against the White Sox. The game was subsequently postponed to August 12, 2021, with the White Sox' opponent once again being the Yankees. Also, on June 13–14, the Cardinals were supposed to play against the Chicago Cubs in the London Series. But that was also cancelled due to the pandemic.
On July 31, 2020, the Cardinals announced two of their players have tested positive for COVID-19. Their game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee that day was postponed. Following additional positive test results, the rest of the three-game series with the Brewers and the four-game series with the Detroit Tigers were also postponed. It was later revealed that there were six staff members who had tested positive and seven players including Yadier Molina, Paul DeJong, Edmundo Sosa, Rangel Ravelo, Junior Fernández, and Kodi Whitley. Because of the timing of a simultaneous move to the IR list, it is speculated that the seventh player was Carlos Martinez,[7] which he later confirmed on his personal Instagram.[8]
As the Cardinals prepared to return to play against the Chicago Cubs again on August 7, three additional members of the Cardinals tested positive for COVID-19.[9] As a result, the three-game series against the Cubs was postponed.[10] A day later, the Cardinals three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates was also postponed.[11] It was later announced that the players were Austin Dean and roommates Ryan Helsley and Lane Thomas. Additionally, one other staff member had newly tested positive bringing the team total of positive tests to 17, including 10 players.[12]Austin Gomber was added to the Covid IL due to contact tracing even though he has not tested positive and returned to play on August 19.[13]
On August 13, it was announced that the Cardinals' season would resume that Saturday with a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. Multiple doubleheaders would be added throughout the season to try to make up as many lost games as possible.[14] As part of a series of roster and staff changes, former third base coach Jose Oquendo returned to the team as an addition to the coaching staff while assistant coach Willie McGee opted out for the season due to personal health concerns.[15] Third base coach Pop Warner returned to the club in time for the August 27 doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cardinals took the unusual step of renting 41 cars and having staff and players drive from St. Louis to Chicago in their own cars to avoid any further outbreaks.[16] The Cardinals returned to play on August 15 with a doubleheader against the White Sox.[17] After finishing the three-game series against the White Sox, the Cardinals played two doubleheaders in three days against the Cubs.[18] In the second game of each doubleheader, the Cardinals were the designated home team.[19] As a result, the Cardinals played eight games in five days.[20] They finished that stretch with a 4–4 record.
Molina was activated and returned to the lineup on August 20 and many of the others affected were expected to return to the team within a week.[21]
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
The 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft took place on June 10 and June 11. The draft assigned amateur baseball players to MLB teams. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was shortened to five rounds.
