MLB has released its '20 schedule, which has the D-backs and Padres playing an "odd two-game series" in Mexico in April that "features games on Saturday and Sunday bookended by off days on Friday and Monday," according to Nick Piecoro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The April 18-19 weekend is "expected to be" the D-backs' "next foray onto the international stage." The D-backs and Padres are "planning to travel to Mexico City for a two-game set," which will be played in Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, a "new facility that opened earlier this year." Sources said that the "announcement hasn't been made yet because details are still being finalized." The games are "listed as home games" for the D-backs (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/13).
LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN: In Miami, Jordan McPherson notes the Marlins are "returning to Puerto Rico next season" with a three-game set scheduled for April 28-30 at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The Marlins will be "designated as the home team for the series" against the Mets. The games will come "nearly four years after the Marlins' last attempt to play in Puerto Rico" in '16 was "squashed due to concerns about the Zika virus." This will be the "fourth time in Marlins history they will play in Puerto Rico" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/13). In Ft. Lauderdale, Wells Dusenbury notes the Marlins and Mets also "played a three-game series in San Juan" in '10 at the same ballpark. The Marlins "won two of the three in front of an average attendance of 18,559" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 8/12).
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MLB? ESPN.com's David Schoenfield wonders with MLB set to play games next season in London, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Iowa and Williamsport, as well as past games being played in Japan and Australia, "where else could MLB play regular-season games?" Schoenfield: "I recommend Paris, Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam, Florence and Berlin and happily volunteer to cover" (ESPN.com, 8/12).
