London...and Paris...and Seoul Calling

MLB's London Series returned this weekend for the first time in four years with the Cubs and Cardinals taking their rivalry across the pond.  After the Yankees and Red Sox played two games at London Stadium in 2019, the plan was for it to become an annual thing, with the Cubs and Cardinals set to play in the 2020 edition.  Then our buddy COVID, of course, intervened, putting a halt on London games (for both MLB and the NFL) for a few years.

However, now that we're on the other side of the pandemic, they can go back to the original plan.  In fact, they included it in the CBA that took effect last year.  Games in London this year and next, Paris in 2025, then back to London for two more years.  They've even already announced that next year's London Series will feature the Mets and the Phillies.

The Yankees have expressed an interest in playing the 2025 games in Paris, but MLB is reluctant to give them (and, I'm assuming, the Red Sox) the first games in both London AND Paris.  Instead, they've been talking to the Dodgers about Paris.  Which leads me to believe those games will end up being Dodgers-Giants.

With the way the schedule is set up, international games will almost certainly have to be division matchups.  These are two-game series, and the only teams you can play a two-game series against are division rivals and your interleague partner.  And, for some reason, I don't see them taking Yankees-Mets or Cubs-White Sox or Dodgers-Angels overseas anytime soon.  But even still, they've got plenty of options with just divisional matchups for future international games.

My first thought is Astros-Rangers.  After three straight National League matchups, you'd have to figure it'll be the AL's turn to go to London again in 2026.  And, assuming both Texas teams are still good, that could be a worthwhile rivalry to showcase.  Even if not, we know both teams can hit and we know how small London Stadium can play, so those two games would at least be fun to watch.

Then in 2027, the last year that has already been agreed to, I say you go AL Central.  Why?  Because it'll be the sixth series in Europe and the AL Central is the only division left.  Yes, there are reasons for that, but it doesn't mean it'll still be the case four years from now.  So, the AL Central gets the nod, and White Sox-Guardians is the choice.

It's not just Europe, either.  MLB wants to increase its international exposure in other places, as well.  They've already been to Japan, Australia, Mexico and Puerto Rico (Canada doesn't count), and the Orioles played a pair of exhibition games against the Cuban National Team in the late 90s.  Where else might be on the horizon?  I've heard South Korea mentioned as another possibility for next season, and I can easily see Taiwan and/or China and maybe even Brazil as future sites.

If next year's games were in Japan, the Angels would be an easy choice (well, as long as they still had Ohtani).  But for Seoul, they're not such an obvious call.  In fact, there's only a handful of active Korean players, two of whom play for the Pirates.  Sorry, but I don't think the Pirates have enough appeal for the first regular season MLB games in Korea.  And, Ohtani or not, the Angels will still have Mike Trout.  So I'd send them anyway.  And have them play the Mariners.  (Or, you do A's-Angels with Oakland being the "home" team so that they have two fewer games for fans to not attend in that terrible stadium before they move to Las Vegas.)

While the games in Seoul look like they're a done deal, it's just a matter of when, MLB has given no indication of playing in either Taiwan or China.  That's just me spit balling.  And, if the San Diego Padres remain relevant, I can see them being selected to play in either of those countries.  I'll say against the Diamondbacks since, like the Yankees, they might not want to have the Dodgers play internationally too often.

One team that I haven't mentioned yet that would certainly be a worthwhile one to showcase in an international series is the Atlanta Braves.  Since the Mets and Phillies are already set to go to London, I'm gonna rule them out as the Braves' opponent for now.  Which leaves the Marlins and Nationals.  Neither one is a great option, but we're talking a few years from now, so it's possible Washington will be good (or at least less bad) again by then.  So, let's say Braves-Nationals for a series at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

I'd imagine that games in Mexico and Puerto Rico will be semi-regular things, as well.  Since there isn't really any travel for those, they're pretty much open to everybody.  And, I'm fairly certain those are three-game series, which means the matchups aren't limited to division games, either.  Which opens up all kinds of possibilities!

They've also announced that next year's Field of Dreams Game will be at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  Willie Mays played there as a member of the Birmingham Black Barons, and they'll honor him by having the Giants face the Cardinals at the ballpark.  They couldn't play at the actual Field of Dreams in Iowa this year because of renovations, so I wonder if this means the field won't be available next year, either.  Or, does it mean that we'll have two Field of Dreams games--one in Iowa, one in Alabama--moving forward?

That's a one-game deal, so it's just a matter of choosing the teams.  Same thing with the Little League Classic, which has already been established as an annual event.  The challenge with those two events is having two teams that are playing a series close enough to the site so the day-of travel isn't a big deal (hence, the home teams in the Little League Classic so far being the Phillies, Pirates, Guardians, Orioles and Nationals).  Do we see the Cincinnati Reds and Elly de la Cruz in Williamsport next year?

Regardless of what the matchups are, it does seem like pretty much every team will be given a turn at playing internationally before they start to recycle.  They eventually will, of course.  Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and Cubs are the biggest draws for a reason.  But, with the number of international and special event games coming up on the docket in the next few years, it sure looks like fans around the world will get to see plenty of different teams.  Which is, by far, the best way to grow the game.