Overview
- MLB officially postponed Game 4 at Progressive Field after persistent rain and standing water prevented a playable surface, with the league calling the delay shortly before 9 p.m. Friday.
- The schedule was reset so Game 4 will be played Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET and Game 5 on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET, while Games 6 and 7, if needed, remain in St. Petersburg on Monday and Tuesday.
- Grounds crews had removed the tarp and tried to clear puddles on the warning track before the delay, but ongoing showers made the field unsafe and forced the cancellation.
- Both teams said they attempted to play and can stick with or adjust their planned starters—Cleveland had planned a bullpen opener with Shawn Armstrong and Tampa Bay had Nick Martinez—but the compressed schedule will force managers to weigh rotation and bullpen choices closely.
- MLB moved ticket holders between the original Game 4 and Game 5 dates to accommodate fans, and the change gives the Milwaukee Brewers extra rest before the World Series while Cleveland and Tampa Bay may face up to four straight days of games.