The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, two historic MLB franchises, are ending the regular season with a series that has postseason implications for both teams.
The final game will be played not in Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, but in the foreign confines of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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On Friday, Sept. 25 MLB officially moved the series finale back a day, to begin at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at the home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
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“The change was made in continued consultation with the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs due to the unchanged forecast of a major nor’easter expected to bring heavy rain, high winds, and potential flooding to the region during the weekend,” the Red Sox announced.
The Red Sox clinched the AL’s second wild-card spot with a win over the Cubs on Friday. The Cubs clinched a playoff berth too, but don’t know if they will be the first or second wild-card team in the National League.
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Because they hold the tiebreaker over the Arizona Diamondbacks (85-74), Philadelphia Phillies (87-72) and San Diego Padres (89-70), the Cubs (88-72) can’t be the third wild-card team. Depending on the outcome of the final series between the Padres and Diamondbacks, however, Chicago can leapfrog San Diego for the top wild-card position in the NL.
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The Cubs and Red Sox shuffled their schedule once already, and are playing two games Friday in Boston to try and beat the approaching wind and rain.
Playing any outdoor sports Saturday or Sunday in Boston looks futile, so the teams will pack up and head to the domed stadium the Rays call home.
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