Major League Baseball relocated the regular-season series finale between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to severe weather from an approaching Nor’easter along the Northeast coast.
The final game of the three-game series, initially slated for a Saturday night slot at Fenway Park, was shifted to the indoor confines of Tropicana Field in Florida (as detailed by Major League Baseball). Both playoff-bound teams packed their bags ahead of time, with Red Sox manager Chad Tracy instructing his players days prior to prepare for an extended road trip.
“Pack for the next week and a half and be ready to roll. 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.”
Chad Tracy, Red Sox manager, via CBS News
Logistics, Doubleheaders, and Ticket Refunds for Fans
Boston secured the second American League Wild Card spot during the first game of that doubleheader with a 4-3 victory over Chicago (according to Yahoo Sports). Because that win locked up their postseason positioning, the relocated Sunday series finale carries no standings weight for the Red Sox (noted Yahoo Sports).
Photo: cbsnews.com
Both ballclubs boarded flights for Tampa following Friday’s second game (noted Yahoo Sports).
Tickets bought straight from the Red Sox will trigger an automatic reimbursement to the original payment method (per Yahoo Sports).
Returned tickets hold no cash value outside of the refund process (verified Yahoo Sports).
All transaction reversals are scheduled to finish within seven days (reported Yahoo Sports).
Tampa Bay Rays Return a Historic Favor
Hosting the displaced matchup holds a distinct historical resonance for the Tampa Bay franchise. Tampa Bay Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby pointed out that other teams stepped up when Tropicana Field was damaged, making this weekend’s rescue effort a matter of returning baseball solidarity (according to Major League Baseball).
Photo: sports.yahoo.com
“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.”
Ken Babby, Tampa Bay Rays Chief Executive Officer, via Major League Baseball
Moving regular-season fixtures to a neutral site due to severe weather is an extraordinary rarity (noted Major League Baseball). Major League Baseball archives record only six instances of weather forcing such relocations, with Tampa Bay or its home stadium involved in two of them (reported Major League Baseball).
Dates
Original Matchup
Relocation Venue
Reason
Sept. 11–13, 2017
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
Citi Field (New York)
Hurricane Irma
Aug. 29–31, 2017
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg)
Hurricane Harvey
Sept. 14–15, 2008
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
Miller Park (Milwaukee)
Hurricane Ike
April 10–12, 2007
Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians
Miller Park (Milwaukee)
Snow
Sept. 13–14, 2004
Montreal Expos at Florida Marlins
U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago)
Hurricane Ivan
Postseason Outlook Unchanged Despite the Detour
While the venue change alters travel plans, it causes zero disruption to the upcoming American League postseason bracket. Because the Red Sox secured their wild-card position (confirmed Yahoo Sports), Sunday’s contest in Florida serves merely as a final tune-up. Boston will pack up immediately after the final out at Tropicana Field and head straight to Yankee Stadium to open a best-of-three AL Wild Card Series against New York (reported Yahoo Sports).
