Major League Baseball moved a regular-season series finale between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs from Fenway Park to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg because of a weekend storm threat in the Boston area.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
The original schedule had a three-game series between the playoff-bound teams with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because of the forecast of heavy rains and high wind gusts, MLB on Wednesday rescheduled Sunday’s game as part of a doubleheader Friday.
After the Red Sox won the first game of the doubleheader 4-3, MLB announced Saturday’s game had been moved to the home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Red Sox manager Chad Tracy told his team on Thursday to pack for an 11-day trip, just to be sure.
Boston plays at the New York Yankees in a best-of-three Wild Card Series starting Tuesday.
The winner of that series would play the Rays in St. Petersburg in a best-of-five Division Series beginning Oct. 3.
“Pack for the next week and a half and be ready to roll,” Tracy recalled telling his players. “It’s strange. You usually know who you’re going to play and when you’re going to lay them. ... At least we’re prepared to leave.”
According to MLB.com, this is believed to be the sixth time that weather concerns have required the relocation of games to a neutral site, with the Rays or Tropicana Field involved twice.
- Sept. 11-13, 2017 - Yankees at Rays was moved to Citi Field in New York due to Hurricane Irma.
- Aug. 29-31, 2017 - Texas Rangers at Houston Astros, three games held at Tropicana Field due to Hurricane Harvey.
- Sept. 14-15, 2008 - Cubs at Houston Astros, two games held at Miller Park in Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike
- April 10-12, 2007 - Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians, three games at Miller Park due to snow
- Sept. 13-14, 2004 - Montreal Expos at Florida Marlins, two games at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago due to Hurricane Ivan.
And, of course, the Rays played the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' spring facility in Tampa, after Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana Field in October 2024.
“We’re proud to support our partners across Major League Baseball by hosting the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field and helping ensure fans can enjoy this matchup despite the weather challenges in the Northeast," Rays CEO Ken Babby.
"When Tropicana Field was damaged, clubs throughout the league stepped up to support our organization during an incredibly challenging time. We’re grateful for that solidarity and are pleased to return the favor by welcoming the Cubs, Red Sox, and their fans to Tropicana Field on Sunday.”
WUSF's Rick Mayer contributed to this report.
