ALCS Game 3 between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians is officially kicking off at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, a drastic shift from its original 6 p.m. ET start time, and it is all thanks to some seriously gnarly weather rolling into Cleveland. Major League Baseball just dropped the bomb that they’re being “proactive” with the schedule, trying to get ahead of what looks like a rough night for baseball in Ohio.
Cleveland’s Skies Are Sending the ALCS Into Chaos
This move for Game 3, which shifts the action from prime time to a daytime affair, is directly tied to “forecasted inclement weather” in the Cleveland area. We’re talking rain and scattered thunderstorms late at night and overnight. MLB is smart here, trying to keep the series on track and avoid any late-inning interruptions or, worse, suspending a game until the next day, which is a total nightmare. The Rays and Guardians are tied up at one game apiece, with the series now heading to Cleveland for Games 3-5. Cleveland nabbed Game 1 in Tampa Bay, but the Rays answered back, taking Game 2 on Tuesday night. Now, Gavin Williams is set to toe the rubber for Cleveland, facing off against Griffin Jax for the Rays in what will now be a daylight showdown. Oh, and if you’re looking ahead, Friday’s Game 4 in Cleveland could also see some rain throughout the day, though it’s expected to be “light” in the evening. That game is still on the books for 6 p.m. ET.
Dodgers vs. Brewers Game 4 Also Shifted, Because Why Not?
Believe it or not, the ALCS isn’t the only series getting a shake-up. A few hours after the Cleveland announcement, MLB also decided to move up NLCS Game 4 between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers. That game, set to go down at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, was originally slated for a 9 p.m. ET start. That’s 6 p.m. in LA, but it looks like the league wanted to snag that 8 p.m. ET time slot for the NLCS without any fears of it overlapping with the now-earlier ALCS Game 3. If the Brewers somehow manage to sweep the Dodgers, there’s even a chance the league would move the ALCS game back to its original slot.
This is a wild way to kick off the Cleveland leg of the ALCS, with Gavin Williams and Griffin Jax now facing off in broad daylight. Keep an eye on those Cleveland skies, because if the forecasts hold, we could be looking at even more schedule headaches for Game 4 on Friday, which is still set for 6 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, over in the NLCS, the Brewers and Dodgers are trying to get their Game 4 in without the ALCS butting in. What a chess match this has turned into, on and off the field!
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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