A way too early look at the Yankees’ 2020 schedule

The 2019 season is ramping up for an exciting pennant chase, but it’s not the only season making the news this week. On Monday, Major League Baseball released the schedule for the 2020 season, letting fans know where and when they’ll be able to catch their favorite team next season.

For those of us eager to find out when the season will be starting, looking to get a head to start planning next year’s vacation, or just plain curious as to what next season will entail, you can find the full schedule on the Yankees’ website. Here are some of the highlights, however.

Opening Day: March 26, at Baltimore

The Yankees open the season at home in Camden Yards, where they play the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game set. Barring a major turnaround, the Orioles project to be an easy opening series for the Yankees (although we saw how well that went this year, as the Yankees lost two of three against the O’s in the Bronx to open 2019).

Of course, the weather will be less than ideal. This year, the temperature in Baltimore on March 26 was 49 degrees. That is the price to pay to have the season end in September, not the early days of October.

Home Opener: April 2, vs. Toronto

I hope we will be raising a banner on this day. That is all.

First West Coast Trip: April 10-15, at Oakland, at Texas

We will be hitting some late-night baseball very early in the season, as the Yankees head out west two weeks into the schedule. This will be welcome news to all college students on the site, as you will be able to procrastinate by watching baseball until 1 in the morning. For everybody else, get ready to be tired.

First Rivalry Matchup: May 8, vs. Boston

The biggest rivalry in sports returns on May 8 in the Bronx, as the Yankees host Boston for a three game set that will likely include some Sunday Night Baseball, because of course. With recent rumors that the Red Sox may be looking to trade Mookie Betts in the offseason, these two teams may look very different when they meet in 2020.

Second West Coast Trip: May 29 — June 3, at Los Angeles, at Seattle

In a surprising and welcome turn of events, the Yankees complete their second and final West Coast trip at the end of May, when they travel out west to face Mike Trout’s Angels and the likely-irrelevant Seattle Mariners.

I can’t promise that these games will be against competitive teams, but hey, we’ll get to see Mike Trout, and that’s always a treat.

First Visit to Fenway: June 12, at Boston

Although not quite as late as this year’s first trip to Fenway, a good chunk of the season will have occurred before the Yankees make the trek up north to invade their ancient foe’s lair.

Marquee Interleague Matchups: June 26-28, vs. Chicago; July 17-19, at St. Louis

Ah, interleague games. Some hate them, most love them, but there’s one thing that we can all agree on: Yankees games against the Cubs and Cardinals are always exciting affairs — because they very rarely happen!

Despite being two of the oldest franchises, the Yankees have played the Cubs only 16 times in the regular season, going 12-4, and the Cardinals only 12 times, going 9-3. Furthermore, these games will be packed with many storylines, including Gleyber Torres and Luke Voit playing against their former teams.

Conquering Canada: July 4, at Toronto

Somehow, I’m not surprised that the biggest team that plays for America’s pastime spends Independence Day...in Canada.

And they don’t even play a game at all on the real anniversary of independence, July 2 (i.e., the day that the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress).

Subway Series: July 7-8, vs. New York; July 28-29, at Queens

A month ago, I would have told you that these two series would be between a good Yankees team and a bad Mets team that can’t admit that it’s time to rebuild. I have no idea what in the world happened since then.

All-Star Game: July 14, at Dodger Stadium

The 91st All-Star Game will be held in Los Angeles for the first time since 2010, and will be hosted by the Dodgers for the first time since 1980. Will we see any Yankees participate in the Home Run Derby? Will the Yankees beat this year’s total of 5 All-Stars? Will an opener get the nod in lieu of a starter for either team, reflecting the league’s change in pitching philosophy over the last two seasons?

“If You Build It”: August 13, against Chicago, in Iowa

Thirty years ago, Phil Alden Robinson adapted W. P. Kinsella’s novel Shoeless Joe into the cinematic baseball masterpiece known as Field of Dreams. Starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster, the film tells the story of a corn farmer, the Black Sox scandal, and the turbulent relationship of a father and son.

The Yankees and White Sox will be playing a game at the site where the film was created, albeit not on the actual field itself, as its tiny dimensions would make the game a farce. It will be the first game of Major League Baseball to ever be played in the state of Iowa.

Acquiring tickets will be tough — there will only be 8000 seats, but the game will be nationally broadcast by FOX.

A Tough Finish: September 21-27, vs. Houston, vs. Tampa Bay

The Yankees better hope they position themselves well for the postseason as early as possible, because the last week of the schedule looks to be a doozy. Yankees fans will be treated to four games against the Astros and three against the Rays to end the season. Should the Yankees need to make up ground in one of the various playoff races — the division, the wild card, or home field advantage — this schedule gives them an ample opportunity to do so. The reverse is also true, however, and the Yankees could see themselves pushed toward the outskirts of the playoff hunt if the stars align in the wrong way.