The news of baseball returning is certainly a positive thing.

With the plan for the return of the 2020 season getting approved and underway Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies’ 60-game slate is also set.

One thing that fans will get to see this year is a lot of divisional games, 40, and another 20 games against their A.L. East counterparts.

While the dates are not yet set, we do know the opponents that they will face when the season begins.

Philadelphia will play the majority of its games against its own division, the National League East, in order to limit travel as much as possible. In a similar effort, the rest of the games will be filled in by interleague play against the American League East.

So the Phillies will play the Mets, Marlins, Nationals and Braves 10 times each for a toal of 40 games.  They will also fave the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles and Rays to fill out the other 20 games on their schedule, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

That’s a difficult schedule for the Phillies. The AL East boasts the new York Yankees, a true World Series Championship contender.  Plus some very good teams in Boston and Tampa Bay.

The Yankees’ over/under for a win total for the 60-game season is a AL best 38.5, courtesy of BetOnline. The division also includes Tampa (33.5), Boston (31.5), Toronto (28.5) and Baltimore (21.5).

As far as the NL East is concerned, oddsmakers see a very tight race:

Atlanta Braves                           33½
Washington Nationals                33½
New York Mets                          32½
Philadelphia Phillies                   31½
Miami Marlins                            24½

KEEP READING: Phillies Major Award Winners Since 1980

 

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