Title: Hurricane Hilary Forces MLB to Reschedule California Games
Date: August 18, 2023
Major League Baseball (MLB) has made last-minute changes to the schedule due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Hilary. The powerful Category 4 storm, which is currently churning off Mexico’s Pacific coast, has prompted MLB to reschedule three Sunday games in California.
The affected games include Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels, and Miami Marlins at Los Angeles Dodgers. All of these games will now be played as part of split doubleheaders on Saturday, providing a chance for the teams to avoid the adverse weather conditions.
The new schedule will see the first game in San Diego begin at 3:10 p.m. ET, followed by the second game at 8:40 p.m. ET. At Angel Stadium, the opener will start at 4:07 p.m. ET, with the second game scheduled for 9:07 p.m. ET. The games at Dodger Stadium are set for 3 p.m. ET and 9:10 p.m. ET, respectively.
In addition to the MLB rescheduling, the National Football League (NFL) is also considering alternatives for Sunday’s exhibition game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL will hold a conference call to discuss various possibilities, such as canceling the game or adjusting the time due to conflicting events at the stadium.
As Hurricane Hilary continues to intensify, both leagues are prioritizing the safety of players, staff, and fans. Saints coach Dennis Allen expressed concern about the weather conditions and stressed the importance of everyone staying safe, stating, “Whatever it takes for everybody to stay safe, that’s what we’ve got to do.”
While Hurricane Hilary is predicted to weaken slightly before making landfall in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Saturday night, it is still expected to impact Southern California as a tropical storm on Sunday. The National Weather Service notes that no tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California since 1939.
Katherine Terrell from ESPN and The Associated Press have contributed to this report.
By rescheduling these games, MLB and the NFL are prioritizing the safety of all those involved. As Hurricane Hilary approaches, fans and players alike are urged to stay updated on any further changes or precautions implemented by the leagues.