A brutal heat wave is about to slam Los Angeles, right as the Dodgers kick off their NLDS run this Saturday against either the Braves or Phillies. We’re talking temperatures that could absolutely mess with the game, and nobody involved is thrilled about it.
Saturday’s Scorcher: Game 1 is Looking Absolutely Miserable
Get ready for a furnace. Saturday’s series opener is a day game, set for 4:00 p.m. ET (which is 1:00 p.m. local time out there), and it’s going to be the hottest day of this week-long heat wave. The forecast from CBS Los Angeles is already calling for a high of 98 degrees with zero cloud cover, just pure sun baking down on Dodger Stadium. But here’s where it gets even crazier: AccuWeather is predicting the high could climb even higher, possibly threatening the record of 108 degrees set way back in 1987. And if that wasn’t enough, the “RealFeel” heat index is expected to hit a disgusting 105 degrees for Game 1. This isn’t just about heat; humidity is also going to be a major factor, something that was a big concern in the 2017 World Series Game 1 against the Astros, which was 103 degrees at first pitch.
Manager Roberts Knows the Stakes, But Logistical Nightmares Loom
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t mincing words about the conditions. He told Dodgers Nation recently, “I would probably prefer to play at night, but as far as who we play, I really don’t think we really care. It’s going to be a hot week, and to play at night would certainly be more beneficial.” You can feel the frustration there, right? He knows playing in that kind of extreme heat isn’t ideal, especially with humidity added into the mix. But here’s the kicker: Saturday’s NLDS opener is one of four postseason games scheduled for that day. Trying to change the start time because of the heat wave? That’s a massive logistical nightmare for MLB. The National West champion Dodgers got a bye in the first round, and now they’re diving straight into this inferno.
Game 2 is set for Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET, which should hopefully bring some relief from the worst of the daytime heat. The Dodgers are battling to become the first team to win three straight World Series since the 1998-2000 Yankees. They’ve got a shot at history, but they’re going to have to survive this ridiculous heat first. Can they push through it and start their championship quest strong? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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