Cincinnati Reds could open the 2020 season vs. Chicago Cubs

There’s no telling when the 2020 season will commence, but if it’s pushed until mid-May, the Cincinnati Reds could open against the Chicago Cubs.

Unfortunately, the Major League Baseball season will not start on April 9th. Yesterday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the initial delay of two weeks has been amended. There’s a good chance that baseball will not resume until mid-May at the earlier and perhaps early June. That could setup an Opening Day contest between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs.

While it’s unclear as to whether or not the initial Major League Baseball schedule will be amended to include double-headers and other means to facilitate as many games as possible, if the 2020 season is delayed until early-June, the Cubbies could be the Reds first opponent.

As it stands now, the Reds first home game during the month of June falls on Thursday, June 4th against the Cubs. It’s game one of a four-game set against the North Siders and part of a seven-game homestand. The Los Angeles Dodgers come into town the following week before the Reds embark on a nine-game road trip.

An Opening Day battle against the Chicago Cubs would be nothing new for the Cincinnati Reds. Chicago has started the season in the Queen City on a 36 occasions, with the most recent coming in 2007. The Reds won that game 5-1 in front of 42,720 fans at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aaron Harang toed the rubber against Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano. Harang went seven innings, allowed just six hits and one run. Adam Dunn thrilled the capacity crowd at GABP with two home runs.

If the Major League season begins in mid-May, the possibility exists that Cincinnati could open the 2020 season on June 14th against the Milwaukee Brewers. However, that appears to be wishful thinking.

For now, it’s a game of wait and see. Manfred said that no opening date will be announced at this time and, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, major league teams remain committed to playing as many games as possible.