MLB Moves ALCS Game 3 Start to 1 p.m. ET Due to Cleveland Weather Forecast
MLB advanced the start time of ALCS Game 3 between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET to avoid forecasted inclement weather and maintain the postseason schedule.
Major League Baseball has officially moved the start of American League Championship Series Game 3 to 1 p.m. ET on Thursday at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The original 6 p.m. ET kickoff was pushed forward in response to expected adverse weather conditions later in the evening that threatened to disrupt the game and potentially impact the postseason timeline.
The ALCS is currently tied at one game apiece after the Guardians took Game 1 and the Rays evened the series with a win in Tampa Bay for Game 2 last night. Games 3, 4, and 5 are scheduled consecutively in Cleveland, with the league adjusting Game 3's start time to reduce the risk of weather-related delays that could affect the flow of the series.
Should the series extend beyond five games, Games 6 and 7 will return to Tropicana Field in Tampa following a scheduled off-day on Sunday. This scheduling change ensures that the series can proceed without interruption at Progressive Field for the next three games.
The earlier start time for Game 3 allows MLB to keep the playoff schedule on track amid challenging fall weather conditions in Cleveland. The Guardians and Rays will now prepare for an afternoon contest that could prove pivotal in the tightly contested series.
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