The Rays and Guardians will play five hours earlier on Thursday, October 15, while the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS Game 4 also receives an earlier start.
Major League Baseball has moved Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians to an earlier start because of expected rain in Cleveland. The game, scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026, will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern Time instead of the original 6 p.m. start at Progressive Field.
MLB announced the change Wednesday after forecasts indicated rain and possible thunderstorms Thursday night. The league said the adjustment was intended to reduce the risk of weather interruptions and keep the best-of-seven playoff series on schedule.
The change also affected the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. Game 4 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday will begin at 5 p.m. Pacific Time instead of 6 p.m., allowing the two championship series to maintain separate television windows.
Both series are entering important stages as four teams compete for places in the 2026 World Series.
Cleveland Weather Forces Earlier First Pitch
Cleveland’s forecast was the main reason for the schedule adjustments. Meteorologists expected rain and scattered thunderstorms to develop during the evening and overnight hours, creating the possibility of a delayed or interrupted baseball game.
Progressive Field is an open-air stadium, leaving games vulnerable to unfavorable weather conditions. Heavy rain can make the field unsafe and force umpires to suspend play until conditions improve.
MLB decided to act before the weather arrived rather than risk having Game 3 continue late into Thursday night.
According to the league’s official announcement, the earlier start was a preventive measure designed to preserve the ALCS schedule.
The adjustment moves first pitch forward by five hours, giving both teams a better chance of completing the game before the forecasted evening rain.
The Associated Press reported that the game will remain available on TBS and other TNT Sports platforms despite the schedule change.
The revised starting time also means fans attending the game must adjust their plans. A weekday afternoon contest presents different travel and work considerations compared with an evening start.
However, the league’s primary concern is avoiding a weather-related interruption that could affect the remaining playoff schedule.
Games 4 and 5 are scheduled for Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, in Cleveland if both are necessary. Their announced starting times are 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern, respectively, although further adjustments remain possible.
Rays and Guardians Enter Game 3 Tied
The weather announcement comes as Tampa Bay and Cleveland prepare for a pivotal matchup with their American League Championship Series tied at one game apiece.
Cleveland opened the series Monday with a 7-3 victory in Tampa Bay. The Guardians used their offense to gain an early advantage in the best-of-seven matchup.
The Rays responded Tuesday with a 3-1 victory in Game 2, preventing Cleveland from taking a commanding lead before the series moved north.
Tampa Bay’s pitching played a central role in the win. Freddy Peralta delivered six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six batters.
The Rays scored all three runs in the fourth inning after a fielding error by Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez created an opportunity for Tampa Bay.
Liam Hicks contributed a two-run single during the inning, helping the Rays build a lead their pitching staff protected for the remainder of the game.
Cleveland scored its only run on an RBI double by Chase DeLauter in the seventh inning.
Tampa Bay closer Bryan Baker finished the game and earned his fourth postseason save.
The victory gave the Rays momentum heading into Cleveland, where the Guardians will benefit from playing before their home crowd.
Gavin Williams and Griffin Jax Expected to Start
Cleveland is expected to start right-hander Gavin Williams in Game 3. Tampa Bay plans to send right-hander Griffin Jax to the mound.
Williams finished the regular season with a 14-8 record and a 3.76 earned run average. He also led the American League in strikeouts, establishing himself as an important part of Cleveland’s pitching staff.
The 27-year-old played a major role in the Guardians’ Division Series victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Williams appeared in three games during that series, including starts in Games 2 and 5. He also worked one inning in relief during Game 4.
Across 11 2/3 innings, Williams recorded 24 strikeouts while allowing two runs and six hits.
His heavy workload has raised questions about how Cleveland will manage his pitching availability as the championship series continues.
The Guardians needed five games to eliminate the White Sox, creating additional demands on their starting rotation and bullpen.
Jax enters the matchup with a different recent postseason workload. The Tampa Bay right-hander finished the regular season with an 8-10 record and a 3.52 ERA.
During the Division Series against the New York Yankees, he struck out four batters and allowed one run across two innings of relief.
Both pitchers will face pressure in a game that could shift control of the series.
A victory would give either team a 2-1 advantage with at least one additional game remaining in Cleveland. The team that loses would need to recover quickly before Friday’s scheduled Game 4.
Dodgers-Brewers Game 4 Also Rescheduled
MLB’s decision also produced a scheduling change on the National League side.
Thursday’s Game 4 between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium has been moved from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. The new start is 8 p.m. Eastern.
Unlike the Cleveland adjustment, the change in Los Angeles was not prompted by a forecast of dangerous weather at Dodger Stadium.
Instead, MLB moved the National League game earlier after shifting the Rays-Guardians contest into the afternoon. The adjustment allows the two playoff broadcasts to fit more comfortably into the national television schedule.
The Brewers entered Wednesday’s Game 3 holding a 2-0 series lead over the Dodgers after winning both opening games in Milwaukee.
Los Angeles returned home needing to improve its performance and avoid falling further behind in the best-of-seven series.
The Dodgers are attempting to win a third consecutive World Series championship, a feat that would place the franchise among a small group of teams to achieve three straight titles.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, is seeking a World Series appearance after an impressive postseason run.
The revised schedule places Thursday’s National League contest on FS1, FOX One and FOX Deportes.
Wednesday’s Game 3 between Milwaukee and Los Angeles remains scheduled for 5 p.m. Pacific Time at Dodger Stadium.
MLB Attempts to Keep Postseason on Schedule
Weather-related scheduling changes are especially significant during the League Championship Series because teams may play several games on consecutive days.
A lengthy delay can create problems for pitching rotations, bullpen availability and travel arrangements. Games interrupted by weather can also complicate national television schedules.
Moving a game into an earlier window does not guarantee favorable playing conditions, but it can improve the chances of completing the contest before storms develop.
MLB has retained the ability to make further changes if forecasts worsen or conditions at Progressive Field become unsafe.
For Cleveland, the earlier first pitch brings an unexpected adjustment as the Guardians return home with the ALCS tied. Tampa Bay must also prepare for an afternoon game after playing the first two contests in Florida.
The postseason will continue Thursday with Rays-Guardians Game 3 scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern and Dodgers-Brewers Game 4 set for 8 p.m. Eastern.
Both contests remain subject to MLB’s weather and scheduling decisions as the teams continue their pursuit of the American and National League pennants.
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