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Reds vs. Pirates Postponed After CIN's Positive COVID-19 Test
August 15, 2020
Major League Baseball announced that Saturday and Sunday's games between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates have been postponed after a member of the Reds tested positive for COVID-19:
Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the person who tested positive within the Reds organization is a player, although his identity is unknown.
The two teams were scheduled to meet at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday and Sunday after playing the first two games of the series Thursday and Friday.
The Reds are second in the National League Central at 9-11, while the Pirates own the worst record in Major League Baseball at 4-14.
According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, all Pirates players and all but the one Reds player in question tested negative for COVID-19.
Positive COVID-19 tests have wreaked havoc on the MLB schedule so far this season. The Miami Marlins missed more than a week after over half their roster tested positive for COVID-19, as did the Philadelphia Phillies after a coach and a staffer tested positive.
The St. Louis Cardinals are set to return to action Saturday against the Chicago White Sox, marking their first game since July 29 because of multiple positive COVID-19 tests among players.
With several teams seeing multiple games postponed, MLB is in a difficult position. The 60-game schedule was already condensed, with few off days factored in, which may make it impossible for some of the teams to play all 60 games unless numerous doubleheaders are scheduled.
If it is determined that some teams can't play 60 games, it is possible that MLB will base the standings on winning percentages rather than win-loss records.
That would benefit a team like the Marlins, who lead the NL East at 9-4. The Atlanta Braves have more wins with 11, but Miami's .692 winning percentage trumps Atlanta's .524.
The Pirates are unlikely to be a factor in the playoff race, even with eight teams in each league qualifying for the postseason, but the Reds could be impacted by any postponed games.
Cincinnati boasts a host of sluggers, including Nick Castellanos, Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas and Eugenio Suarez, plus the starting-pitching duo of Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray is among the best in baseball.
The Reds have a chance to be a dangerous team with the potential to go all the way to the World Series should they manage to qualify for the playoffs.