The Nationals and Cardinals will once again have deal with the "Sun Monster" in Game 4 of the NLDS, but if the series requires a fifth and decisive game, the two teams will finally get a chance to play in primetime.
Major League Baseball announced starting times for the rest of the series this afternoon, revealing that Game 4 is tentatively scheduled to begin at 4:07 p.m. Thursday, with a potential Game 5 scheduled for 8:37 p.m. Friday.
There's a strong chance the start time for Game 4, however, will be pushed back one hour to 5:07 p.m., a change that will be enacted if the Tigers clinch their ALDS against the A's without needing a Game 5. Detroit leads that series 2-0 entering Game 3 late tonight in Oakland, with Game 4 late tomorrow night.
Thus, the first four games of the Nationals' first-ever playoff series will all begin in daylight, with Game 3 tomorrow afternoon scheduled for a 1:07 p.m. start. The early first pitch and the forecast of clearskies could lead to problems for both teams' center and right fielders when trying to pick up flyballs against the sun above the stadium roof.
The sun could be an issue again early in Game 4, though if the start is pushed to 5:07 p.m., it likely would have less impact and should set behind the upper deck early in the game.
If the series extends to a Game 5 on Friday, the Nationals and Cardinals will get center stage with their first primetime game, with the Yankees and Orioles finally pushed up to a late-afternoon start should their ALDS reach that do-or-die game.
Though Game 3 of the Nationals' series tomorrow is being televised only on MLB Network, both Games 4 and 5 will return to TBS.
29 comments:
I'm glad no more 1PM!
This guarantees no need for the late-night Metro subsidy for the NLDS. Metro is already open late on Fridays. Wonder if that factored into MLB's decision-making?
@Feel,
I don't that it did, but I'm grateful. My daughter and I were caught at that 13-inning game against the Barves when they shut it down in the 10th inning. We couldn't leave. Ended up walking a mile up New Jersey Ave. to Constitution to catch the 30 bus to Friendship Heights. Then a $8 cab to where my car was at the Metro. She was a trooper. But I felt I was in Davenport, Iowa. That's how bush it was.
Score one for Living Social. Nice PR coup and didn't have to pay, or even risk, a penny. MLB made it clear they didn't care one whit about DC's metro issue, so I doubt that factored into the decision. Very interesting that they didn't make the O's -Yankees game the primetime game on Friday though. Sharing the wealth a little?
Some Imaginary Friends will be meeting up at the picnic benches behind section 312 about an hour before the game tomorrow. If you're going, and can stop by, please do! It's always so fun to put faces to names. Hugging optional. Mark Z., we know you'll probably be working but if you can stop by, we'd love a Celebrity Visit as well.
GYFNG!!!!!!!!
222, I prefer to think they know that Gio will be the Cy Young winner and that people will want to see him pitch, even if they haven't yet announced the winners.
That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.
JaneB said...
Some Imaginary Friends will be meeting up at the picnic benches behind section 312 about an hour before the game tomorrow.
Great idea!
JaneB, that sounds like an excellent reason to me. If I'm at the game early, I'll definitely look for you and your table of imaginary friends. You'll be the one in the Nats cap, right?
Section 222 said...
"Score one for Living Social. Nice PR coup and didn't have to pay, or even risk, a penny."
The potential Game 5 on Friday would almost definitely run past normal metro closing time. Same goes for any potential NLCS games if we advance.
JaneB We'll be in sec.309 tomorrow, so Mrs. Seamhead and I will try to meet up with everybody.
The potential Game 5 on Friday would almost definitely run past normal metro closing time.
No, because normal Metro closing time on Friday nights is 2 am (or is it 3 am? I forget.) No subsidy needed from LivingSocial or anyone else.
Now, just because Metro stays open that late on Friday nights doesn't mean they don't start rolling up the sidewalks much earlier with single tracking and station closings for maintenance. And they don't even offer the option to anyone to pay them not to do that.
bowdenball -- Metro operates until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights. Unless there's a long rain delay -- and forecast for Friday night is clear -- it would take a REALLY long extra inning game to come close to that time.
NLCS weeknight games would be another matter.
Good point about Friday. Thanks Eddie and Feel Wood.
Still not sure why 222 has given up on us reaching the NLCS, though!
Good point about Friday. Thanks Eddie and Feel Wood.
Still not sure why 222 has given up on us reaching the NLCS, though!
Haven't read through all of the postings since yesterday (so forgive me if this has already been discussed), but is anyone else worried that the Cardinals are now described as fastball-killers and we have a lefthander that throws about 80% fastballs as our Game 4 starter??? If we knew we couldn't get the Cards out with fastballs, perhaps Lannan was a better option than Det. Hope I'm wrong....
Can't wait to be at the Park at 10:30!!
Good point bowdenball. Don't worry, I haven't given up. In fact, I've spent thousands of dollars on tickets for my group on the NLCS!
Still, Living Social has to feel good about how the NLDS played out.
At least we know that Game 2 and Game 7 of the NLCS will start at night, since the ALCS does not have games that night. And Games 1 and 6 will be on Sundays. So no one will have to miss work to attend the NLCS. And the World Series games will all be at night.
See, I really haven't given up on us.
The Nats used to be this obscure team that people knew nothing about. Now it's been constant crap about Strasburg, every time Bryce breathes someone is watching - just very strange to go from one extreme to the other. Just heard a teaser " should we be worried about Bryce Harper". He has been in the majors for, what five months? He is 19? I think if he can function at all in this heady environment and not pee his pants at this point he is fine. Out of all the guys on that roster, the pressure should not be on his shoulders. He's been robbed a few times, fouled off, taken pitches. More than some of the guys have done ( Espi). He is holding up every bit as well as Jayson Werth at this point, too. This is post season training school for him. No one should be expecting him to carry the team.
I agree swami. Bryce has had some good at bats, and his hit yesterday was ripped. Greg Ampsinger on MLB last night was suggesting that because Bryce swung at 22 out of 28 pitches in his five at bats yesterday, he must be anxious. The other guys were like, "He saw 28 pitches in 5 at bats? That's just fine. He's working the counts."
I'm expecting him to explode at some point in this series, but you're absolutely right that he shouldn't be expected to carry the team.
Swami.. love your post.. made me laugh picturing Bryce peeing in his pants.
Hopefully Bryce is feeling bettter (Strep Throat?).
I want the A's to win, but want the thursday game at 5 instead of 4.
Looking forward to finally meeting some more Insiders at the meet up. Great idea. How will we know us? I can totally see me crashing some poor family's picnic.
JaneB... I am going to game 4 and hope that is game we wrap this up. There is chance I will go to game 3 tomorrow, if I do, I would love to meet you all at sec 312!
JaneB... bring some Coronas Light, just in case, lol
Let's be positive GO EJAC!!!!
The one reason I want to go tomorrow is not to listen to Costas pro Cardinals rants
Swami,
Espi's last couple of at bats were also much better.The ball Jay caught was absolutely ripped and is likely a triple 8 times out of 10. Zim has also hit the ball hard the last 3 times and Desi and Morse also look ok. Werth had a game leadoff walk and a single in game 2 and Suzuki had a clutch hit in game 1.
Mostly we haven't pitched as well as we have all year and St.Louis is one tough opponent; maybe the toughest one we could have drawn.
We (my son and I - Sam) are going to games 1 and 2 of the NLCS (see; we are confident) and would love to meet as many of you as possible.
LoveDaNats said...
Looking forward to finally meeting some more Insiders at the meet up. Great idea. How will we know us? I can totally see me crashing some poor family's picnic.
Just pick the most dysfunctional looking family and you'll have no problems.
Can somebody just make a little card that says "Nats Insider"? That'd be easy.
I'm not in 313 tomorrow, but 220 instead. But I'll be coming up for a cheer-coordination meeting with the NATS-cheer guys.
I'll be wearing red.
I have tickets for game 6 of the NCLS
We have tix for game 2 of the NLCS.
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