MLB postponed Monday’s scheduled World Series Game 3 between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies due to rain in Philadelphia. Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the move. Tied at 1-1, the series’ first game at Citizens Bank Park will have to wait. Game 3 will now be played on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET.
The rest of the series will also shift back a day in its entirety. So a planned off day for travel on Thursday will turn into an off day on Friday. Here’s how the schedule will look now:
Tuesday, November 1: Game 3, Astros (McCullers Jr. 0-0, 2.50) at Phillies (Syndergaard 0-0, 1.69) – 8 pm
Wednesday, November 2: Game 4, Astros at Phillies, 8 p.m
Thursday, November 3: Game 5, Astros at Phillies – 8 pm
Saturday, November 5: Game 6*, Phillies at Astros – 8 pm
Sunday, November 6: Game 7*, Phillies at Astros – 8 pm
(All times ET, * if necessary)
When Game 3 does happen on Tuesday, the Astros are set to start Lance McCullers Jr., while the Phillies will send Noah Syndergaard to the mound. With an extra day of rest wedged in, pitching plans for Game 4 could be altered. Cristian Javier was set to go for the Astros, while Ranger Suarez was lined up for the Phillies. Justin Verlander and Aaron Nola could now be back on regular rest for Game 4, after starting in Game 1, if the managers prefer.
Weather issues have plagued the Phillies in the World Series before. In fact, rain at least delayed the start of World Series Game 3 in Philadelphia in 1993, 2008, 2009and now in 2022.
MLB frustrated fans and observers earlier this month when it waited 2 1/2 hours past the scheduled game time to postpone ALDS Game 5 between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians. The league will undoubtedly take pains to avoid the scenario that played out in Philadelphia in 2008, when Game 5 had to be suspended midway through and picked up two nights later. That eventually resulted in the Phillies clinching a championship, but MLB drew criticism for allowing the game to begin at all in inclement weather.
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