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The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, two of baseball's most storied franchises, are closing out the regular season with a series that carries significant postseason implications for both clubs. However, the final game will not take place at Fenway Park or Wrigley Field; instead, it will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
On Friday, September 25, Major League Baseball announced that the series finale had been postponed by a day and relocated to the domed stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. The decision was made after consulting with both teams due to a major nor'easter expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and possible flooding to the Boston area over the weekend, according to a statement from the Red Sox.
The Red Sox secured the American League's second wild-card spot with a victory over the Cubs on Friday. The Cubs also clinched a playoff berth but have yet to determine whether they will be the first or second wild-card team in the National League. Holding tiebreakers over the Arizona Diamondbacks (85-74), Philadelphia Phillies (87-72), and San Diego Padres (89-70), the Cubs (88-72) cannot finish as the third wild-card team. Depending on the outcomes of the final series between the Padres and Diamondbacks, Chicago could still overtake San Diego for the top wild-card position in the NL.
The Cubs and Red Sox had already adjusted their schedule once, playing two games on Friday in Boston in an attempt to avoid the approaching storm. With outdoor play in Boston appearing unfeasible for Saturday or Sunday, the teams will now travel to the domed stadium that the Rays call home.
Key Analysis
The relocation to Tropicana Field underscores the severity of the nor'easter and the importance of the games for both teams' postseason positioning. While the neutral-site game may lack the traditional atmosphere of Fenway or Wrigley, it ensures that the critical matchup will be played without weather disruptions. The Cubs' potential to leapfrog the Padres for the top wild-card spot adds another layer of intrigue to the finale.
Originally reported by yahoo.