Cleveland weather forces frustrating change to Rays-Guardians ALCS Game 3 showdown

The turnaround for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians will be a bit quicker than expected. 

Major League Baseball announced in a press release that the first pitch time has been moved up from 6 p.m. EDT up to 1 p.m. EDT. 

“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,” MLB said in the press release. 

The game is still set to air on TBS, as well as other related platforms, such as HBO Max. 

Making this move is understandable. There is activity expected throughout parts of the night, according to the Weather Channel. 

For longtime Rays fans, you have a memory of the torrential downpour that occurred in Philadelphia during Game 5 of the 2008 World Series. It’s a sight that 10-year-old me will never forget seeing on the family room TV. 

It had to stop and finish the following day. It’s still a frustrating experience for the fans who planned their days around the event. 

Expect empty seats given first pitch time

After seeing what attendance issues could be experienced due to day games during the course of the postseason, it’s not going to be that surprising if there are patches of empty seats at Progressive Field on Thursday. 

The final official attendance may give a solid number, but the eye test won’t reflect it. 

It’s just the reality that someone won’t be able to get off work at lunchtime. Many will try, but not all will be successful. 

Taking a half day of PTO isn’t always something someone can afford to use on a baseball game. 

Along with attendance, perhaps there should be an eye on the TV ratings, too.

This isn’t as much of an issue for the Tampa Bay and Cleveland markets. The fans will have the TVs on in the office, or someone will pull it up on their phone, tablet or computer. 

Some dedicated baseball fans outside those markets who want to consume as much of the sport as possible will go out of their way to put it on. Otherwise, you might just wait to watch the Brewers and Dodgers at night when it’s more convenient. 

Just saying, this wouldn't be an issue in St. Petersburg

If you’re the Rays, you might be exhaling that this 1 p.m. first pitch is up in Cleveland and not at the Trop. If there were patches of seats, it wouldn’t matter. They’d be getting flak in a way no other team will. 

They've already gotten it for attendance during the first two games of this series.

So, while it’s frustrating, it’s fine to at least be able to breathe and be happy that it's not a problem the Rays have to deal with as the home team. They get the brunt of it enough. 

That being said, this wouldn't even be an issue down in St. Petersburg. The Trop has a roof (a new one, as a matter of fact), and the next stadium will have one, too. A game with postseason implications was moved there at the end of the regular season because it has a roof.

For all the hate this ballpark gets, at least first pitch would still be at 6 p.m.

Getting up to speed before the game

The Rays picked up a big win in Game 2 thanks to a strong showing from their pitching staff. The series is tied at one win apiece. 

Griffin Jax is expected to start for the Rays. The Guardians’ starter is officially listed as TBD. 

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