Overview
- MLB advanced first pitch at Progressive Field from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Thursday to beat expected evening rain and keep the ALCS on schedule.
- Tampa Bay formally named right-hander Griffin Jax as its Game 3 starter while reports that Cleveland will start Gavin Williams have appeared but were not uniformly confirmed.
- The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 as teams begin a three-game run in Cleveland where Thursday’s winner will take a 2-1 lead and gain momentum.
- MLB Network noted the 1 p.m. ET kickoff is the earliest LCS start in the Eastern time zone since 1988, and the league also moved NLCS Game 4 earlier at Dodger Stadium for broadcast reasons.
- The earlier start affects travel, fan plans and bullpen use for both clubs, and leaves open the possibility of further shifts if Friday’s rain forecast proves persistent.