Major League Baseball moved Thursday’s ALCS Game 3 between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians up to 1 p.m. ET, shifting the opener in Cleveland well ahead of its original 6 p.m. ET start because of forecasted weather in the area.
MLB said the decision was made because of “forecasted inclement weather” and explained, “The change, which is based on forecasted rain on Thursday night in Cleveland, is being made proactively in order to remain on schedule in the ALCS.”
The league is trying to stay ahead of a Cleveland forecast that, as of Wednesday midday, shows rain and scattered thunderstorms late Thursday night and overnight. A 6 p.m. first pitch might have allowed the game to get in before the worst of it, but MLB opted not to take that chance with the final innings potentially in jeopardy. No one wants a postseason game hanging in the balance because of the weather.
Game 3 is the first of three in Cleveland after the split in Tampa Bay. The Guardians won Game 1, then dropped Game 2 on Tuesday night, setting the series at one game apiece heading into the move north.
There could be more weather issues on deck as well. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m.
ET, and current forecasts call for rain throughout the day, though the evening is expected to be “light.” Game 5 is set for Saturday.
Thursday’s rescheduled ALCS game won’t be the only postseason start time worth watching. Game 4 of the NLCS between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers is still set for 9 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium, which works out to 8 p.m. in Milwaukee and 6 p.m. in Los Angeles.
For now, Cleveland gets the earliest part of the day, and the ALCS continues with Gavin Williams set to start for the Guardians against the Rays’ Griffin Jax.
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