Boston fans headed to Fenway on Sunday will need to arrive a little later than planned. The Red Sox pushed back the start of their Sept. 13 finale against the Kansas City Royals, moving first pitch from 1:35 p.m.
ET to 3:05 p.m. ET because rain is expected in the Boston area earlier in the day.
“The Red Sox have moved the start time of the game tomorrow, Sunday, September 13, against the Royals at Fenway from 1:35 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.,” the team announced on its official X account.
That extra 90 minutes gives the weather a better chance to clear, but it does not change what’s hanging over the game. Boston comes in at 81-68 and holds the second American League wild-card spot, making this more than a routine Sunday matinee. The Red Sox also snapped a three-game skid on Saturday with a 5-1 win over Kansas City, getting seven strong innings from Ranger Suárez and a key two-run double from Wilyer Abreu.
Sunday now offers Boston a chance to take the series and keep building separation in the wild-card race with just two weeks left in the regular season. There isn’t much room for wasted chances at this point.
Payton Tolle is slated to start for Boston, and the left-hander will try to build on Suárez’s outing with another solid performance. Kansas City is expected to go with left-hander Noah Cameron.
The Royals are already part of the reason this series matters. They came into the weekend outside the playoff picture, but they showed Friday they can still make life harder for Boston by winning the opener at Fenway.
The revised start time is set for 3:05 p.m. ET at Fenway Park.
NESN will carry the game, with pregame coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET, and WEEI 93.7 FM will have radio coverage.
Fans attending should keep an eye on official Red Sox updates Sunday in case the forecast forces any further changes.
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The problem is Mead is stuck on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist injury and has not yet resumed hitting, which slows everything down for both him and the team. Boston has other infield prospects in the mix, plus players who have taken advantage of his absence, so this is no longer just about upside and projection. It has become a real decision about where Mead fits, when he can get back on the field, and whether the Red Sox can afford to keep waiting on the version of him they were starting to see. [Read more 🡒]
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What Oviedo can offer once he returns is still part of the conversation, especially with Boston weighing possible bullpen roles if he shows he is ready. Middle relief would make sense as a way to ease him back into the majors, though his limited recent workload and looming free agency add another layer to the decision. The next few outings in Worcester should help clarify whether he can become more than just a late-season afterthought. [Read more 🡒]