World Series Game 3 at risk of being delayed with rain forecast for Philadelphia

Game 3 of the World Series between the Astros and the Phillies on Monday is at risk of being delayed, or even postponed, due to rain forecasted in the Philadelphia area in the evening, as MLB officials will make a final decision no later than 6:30 p.m., just 90 minutes before the start of the game.  

The two clubs, currently locked at 1-1 after two games played at Minute Maid Park, are expected to meet with MLB officials at 5 p.m., three hours prior to the matchup at Citizens Bank Park at 8.03 p.m. ET, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. 

Several weather reports from the Weather Channel indicate that there is an 85 percent chance of showers by the time the game starts. 

MLB takes weather-related decision on a day-to-day basis in the post season and the league’s stance is to prioritize playing through nine innings with no interruptions.

The third game of this year’s World Series could be cancelled due to rain in Philly on Monday 

The league also prefers to not kill any momentum happening during the ball game, as they want to avoid forcing players to sit. It also cares about its viewership ratings, hence its reluctancy to resume game action late at night at an inconvenient time for Americans, particularly on the east coast. 

Overcast weather is Monday’s order in Philadelphia and, with chances of rainfall dramatically increasing from 38 percent to 72 percent at 8 p.m., according to The Weather Channel. 

The probability of rain showers at 9 p.m. is at 55 percent, with it further increasing to 74 and 73 percent at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. respectively. 

The news won’t be welcomed by trick-or-treaters in the Philly area either, but any rain amount is expected to not go up a tenth of an inch. 

AccuWeather meteorologist Said Sojda told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the chances of rain for Monday’s game is ‘certainly not as bad as it could be for starting off November’. 

Fans at Citizens Bank Park have already been treated to a rainy game during the NLCS Game 5 

The Astros and the Phillies have currently won a game each in the two games played so far

For Game 4, on Tuesday, rain is also on the agenda though at a lesser chance at 43 percent, according to AccuWeather.  

The Phillies have already experienced rain during this year’s playoffs after playing against the San Diego Padres in heavy showers at times in the NLCS’ Game 5. The contest between both teams started on time and the game was not interrupted once. 

In the ALCS, however, the Guardians the Yankees had to postpone Game 5 due to heavy rain in the New York City area. Game 2, though, was played in light rain in Cleveland. 

Philadelphia has already been subjected to weather fiasco during a World Series in the past, coincidentally when the Phillies won it in 2008 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 5 was put on hold in the middle of the sixth inning, just when the Rays had tied the score 2-2. 

The Phillies went on to win the series, four games to one, but then-commissioner Bud Selig had announced a rule that all World Series games must be completed in one sitting.