Game 3 of the ALCS between the Rays and Guardians got bumped up to a 1:00 pm start today, a smart move by MLB to get ahead of the weather, but let’s be real: Mother Nature is not done yet. The system moving into Cleveland tonight has a nasty backend to it for tomorrow, and with Lake Erie potentially enhancing that precipitation, Friday’s game could very well get washed out. Griffin Jax is slated to toe the rubber for the Rays against Gavin Williams for the Guardians in Game 3, but the forecast for Game 4 is where things get truly gnarly.
Cleveland’s Weather Mess and the ALCS Schedule Shakeup
The HRRR model for tomorrow paints a grim picture. We’re not talking a guaranteed postponement yet, but if they even try to play, that field is going to be an absolute mess. Nobody wants to see their team battling conditions as much as the opponent, right? Luckily, the series has a built-in off day on Sunday, and guess what? It’s supposed to be absolutely gorgeous. This gives MLB a prime opportunity to be smart about it. Imagine realigning Games 4 and 5 for Saturday and Sunday in Cleveland, then heading back to the Trop for the already scheduled Games 6 and 7 on Monday and Tuesday if this thing goes the distance. It just makes sense. Of course, there’s always the chance MLB just tries to power through and play in less than ideal conditions, but this is a borderline call that could definitely swing one way or the other. It’s a huge factor in how this series unfolds.
Brewers’ Shockwaves and the Salary Cap Nightmare for Owners
While the ALCS grapples with the elements, the NLCS is creating a different kind of storm. The Brewers hold a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Dodgers, and they could send LA packing tonight in Game 4. If that happens, it’s not just a nightmare for Dodgers fans, it’s a full-blown horror show for MLB owners, especially those desperate to push through a salary cap this offseason. A Brewers win guarantees an all small market World Series. Think about that. And it leaves an all small market ALCS to play out, potentially for several more days. Picture this: both the ALCS and the World Series go the full seven games. That means 11 consecutive games of all small market teams on national television to close out the season. The brand of baseball would probably be excellent, even without the so-called “sexier franchises,” but it would send the exact opposite message the owners want to convey as they head into salary cap negotiations. So yeah, the rain in Cleveland is one thing, but what’s happening on the other side of the bracket is making a much bigger splash.
This could be the last day we see more than one MLB game for a long, long time, so soak it all in. Whether it’s the Rays and Guardians trying to outrun the rain or the Brewers trying to end the Dodgers’ season, these playoffs are already delivering drama. Let’s see if MLB makes the smart call on the weather, and if the Brewers continue to absolutely stun the league, because the stakes are incredibly high, both 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 Over the Monster.
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