The Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds managed to get the second game of the series played at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night despite questionable weather that had fans checking weather updates all day.
Wet spring weather in Philadelphia continues on Wednesday, and to get the series finale in, the game has been rescheduled. Originally set to start at 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB has moved the first pitch to 4:05 p.m. ET.
Unfortunately, the forecast for the new game time doesn't look that much better than the original schedule. The Weather Channel calls for thundershowers at 4:00 p.m. ET, with a 93 percent chance of precipitation and a chilly 48-degree temperature.
Update: The start of the Phillies-Reds game on Wednesday has been delayed, with an expected start time of 8:00 p.m. ET.
First pitch anticipated for 8:00. https://t.co/ZGorKJJV2n
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 3, 2024
Phillies Weather Update: Rain delay pushes back start time for series finale vs. Reds
If the Phillies and Reds get the third and final game of the series played today, it will feature Zack Wheeler against Frankie Montas.
Wheeler pitched a gem in his first start on Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves, throwing six innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits while striking out five. He didn't pick up the win, however, as the Phillies bullpen imploded in what turned out to be a lopsided victory for the Braves.
Montas also went six scoreless innings in his Reds debut, holding the Washington Nationals to four hits with four strikeouts in an 8-2 Reds win.
Phillies glad Tuesday's game went ahead despite wet weather
At least Tuesday's game went ahead without any delays — and it was a good thing it did for the struggling Phillies, who evened the series with a 9-4 victory.
Bryce Harper didn't let the cold, soggy night affect him as he put together an early season-defining performance. Even though the game-time temperature sat around 46 degrees amid a miserable drizzle, the Phillies first baseman broke his 0-for-11 start to the season with three home runs. The epic night at the plate included a seventh-inning grand slam and six RBI en route to reaching a career milestone of 1,000 runs scored.
The Phillies also got impressive debuts from starter Spencer Turnbull in the fifth rotation spot and Ricardo Pinto, who joined the team mid-game in the recently DFA'd Connor Brogdon's bullpen spot.
Turnbull went five strong innings, striking out seven Reds while allowing just three hits and one unearned run. Pinto saved the already over-worked bullpen by going four innings for his first major league save, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates and that the Phillies can build on their big win on Tuesday.