CLEVELAND (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians have a common opponent with the American League Championship Series shifting to Progressive Field for the next three games: Mother Nature.
Game 3 in the best-of-seven series Thursday was changed to a 1 p.m. ET start because of the threat of rain in Cleveland during the evening. Major League Baseball moved up the start time five hours Wednesday to keep the series on schedule.
WATCH: News 5's game day forecast
It might not be the only time weather throws both teams a curveball, either. Friday’s forecast calls for rain all day.
Game 4 on Friday remains scheduled to start at 6 p.m., and the first pitch of Game 5 on Saturday is slated for 8 p.m.
The ALCS is tied 1-all after the Rays’ 3-1 victory at home Tuesday night. Cleveland took the opener 7-3 on Monday.
“I think MLB did the right thing. They felt likelier that we were going to get rain in the mid-to-late afternoon tomorrow. So let’s move the game up and try to bank as many dry innings as possible. Coming off an off day probably helps a little bit,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday.
Tampa Bay flew into Cleveland after Tuesday night’s game. The Guardians elected to stay in Florida overnight before flying back Wednesday morning.
According to MLB Network, it will be the earliest start time for a League Championship Series game in the Eastern time zone since Game 5 of the 1988 NL Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets started at 12:20 p.m. at Shea Stadium.
Watch: Breaking down the Guardians' major win in ALCS Game 1
Here’s a full list of the festivities being held both on and off the field for game 3 of the ALCS
- Gateway District: Brady Lorince
- Right Field District: Block Party with DJ Nick Duvé
- Ceremonial First Pitch: Donovan Mitchell
- Color Guard: Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines & Space Force
- National Anthem: World-renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips
- God Bless America: Lt. Col Scott Allen
- Mid-1st inning: Stand Guard Banner
- In-park DJ: DJ Kyro
Watch related coverage: 1-on-1 with Guardians SS Brayan Rocchio
BBB issues scam warning for Guardians playoff ticket buyers in Cleveland
Fans looking to buy tickets to the Cleveland Guardians' playoff game against the Tampa Bay Rays today are being warned to be on alert for ticket scams. Tickets for the game are in high demand, and the Better Business Bureau of Greater Cleveland says scammers are ready to swoop in to cash in.
The BBB is urging consumers to do their homework before purchasing. Fans should be cautious of random social media posts offering tickets, where it can be difficult to confirm a seller's identity. Those posts could be peddling fake tickets. If using a reseller, check how long the website has been around. A relatively new site is a red flag.
The BBB recommends buying from a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers. Paying with a credit card can also provide added protection. If something goes wrong, consumers can dispute the charge. Fans who spot a scam are encouraged to report it to the BBB.
Watch related coverage: Browns CB Denzel Ward buys stake in hometown team, now minority investor in Cleveland Guardians
Greater Cleveland RTA encourages fans to use public transit to games
The Greater Cleveland RTA is encouraging fans heading to games over the next few days to use public transit to avoid traffic. Riders can take the Rapid to Tower City Station and use the walkway to Rocket Arena, which is right next door to Progressive Field. The Health Line and downtown bus routes also serve Public Square, where fans can walk to the stadium from there. One-way passes are $2.50. All-day passes are $5. Parking is free at all RTA stations.
ALCS Game 3 preview
Tampa Bay will send right-hander Griffin Jax to the mound in Game 3. Jax (8-10, 3.52 ERA) struck out four and gave up one run in two innings of relief against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of their Division Series. It was his first relief appearance since April 21.
It will be Jax’s first postseason start. He also made four relief appearances with Minnesota during the 2023 postseason.
Watch previous coverage: 1-on-1 with Guardians RF Jo Adell
“It’s a big honor, one that I’ve been looking forward to for a really long time now that I’m in the rotation,” he said.
Jax — who has a six-pitch arsenal — ranked sixth among AL starters during the regular season with a 30.1% whiff rate. He said it helped watching how Rays starters Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta approached the Guardians’ hitters during the first two games of the series.
“There’s definitely things I can watch and learn from the way Drew attacked them and then what Freddy did last night. So, a lot to watch and a lot that I’m going to go over some notes tonight, and stick to my game plan at the end of the day,” Jax said.
Jax will be tasked with trying to limit the second and third hitters in Cleveland’s lineup. José Ramírez has a .333 batting average during the postseason, including going 9 for 21 with two home runs and nine RBIs over the past five games.
Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter is 4 for 6 with a homer and two RBIs in the ALCS, and has a .346 batting average in the postseason.
Cleveland will go with Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76 ERA), who led the American League in strikeouts this season. The right-hander tied a franchise postseason record with 12 strikeouts in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Chicago White Sox in the deciding game of their ALDS.
Williams had a 1.54 ERA against the White Sox, allowing two runs and six hits with 24 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. He also started Game 2 against Chicago and tossed an inning of relief in Game 4.
“They don’t strike out much. They’re going to put the ball in play. They’re going to put a lot of pressure on us. Just going to have to execute the best way I know how to,” Williams said about the Rays.
Jonny DeLuca is 4 for 8 with a home run during the ALCS and has a .333 batting average in the postseason.
