On Monday, Chicago Cubs Manager David Ross and five other Tier 1 individuals within the club were forced to miss the morning workout. The cause was inconclusive COVID-19 testing, and the delay in getting results meant they had to sit the session out.

“We’ve decided to do the prudent thing so myself and the five others will not attend this morning’s workout,” said Ross. “Out of an abundance of caution, we think it makes sense for the six of us to wait for clarity.  Situations like this have not been a worrisome indicator of a positive test result to date.” 

That’s where we are in 2020, with this extremely abbreviated and exceedingly strange Major League Baseball season. Typically, injuries are the main factor influencing betting on the MLB. This season, you’ll have injuries again of course, but coronavirus is no “injury.” It’s a life-threatening contagion, and we’re in the midst of a global pandemic. Let alone the people who test positive for it, it’s such a serious situation that you can opt-out of the season if you’re seriously concerned about what might happen to you or your family if you catch it. (Ross ended up watching practice from the roof by the way).

Usually, handicappers look first at what team is overall the most talented; who has the most depth. Then it’s a matter of what squads can stay healthy for the 162 game marathon. This year, with a 60 game schedule that feels like a high school or college season, every injury is especially critical.

The Cubs have already learned that via Jose Quintana. Additionally,  every time a single player opts out for the year, like the Los Angeles Dodgers’ David Price or the Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman, the effect of their absence is magnified, due to fewer games.

Overall, it’s looking like the Dodgers are the consensus favorites to win it all, but don’t overlook the New York Yankees. No team benefited more from the extended shut down (getting their players healthy again) than the Bronx bombers. Ultimately though, COVID-19 will define the 2020 MLB season. It’s all about taking personal responsibility for your individual safety and well-being.

There is no Federal leadership. They do not have a plan nor seem interested in trying to construct one. We’re all kind of on our own now.

We all must practice the three Ws: wear masks, wash hands, (stays) ways away from other people. Every MLB player who decided he didn’t want to risk it this year, is making the absolute right call. No one who feels uncomfortable should play, and no one should question their right to exercise that option.

Every single one of us must do the best we can to try and stay safe and healthy. Just be aware, with the 2020 MLB season set to start in a little over a week, it’s going to be strange. Opt-outs and outbreaks could ultimately decide who wins this thing.

Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly contributes to WGN TV, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Now and SB Nation.

You can follow Banks, a former writer for Chicago Tribune.com, on Twitter and his cat on Instagram.

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