Photo Credit: Getty Images
The American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 3 between the Baltimore Orioles and host Kansas City Royals was postponed to Tuesday, Oct. 14, due to inclement weather.
The American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 3 between the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals was postponed to Tuesday, Oct. 14.
The game was originally scheduled for Monday, but inclement weather in Kansas City forced Major League Baseball to postpone it, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch:
“It has been 29 years since Kauffman Stadium last hosted an American League Championship Series game, and that wait will extend for one more day. ALCS Game 3 between the Orioles and Royals was postponed due to inclement weather and rescheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (TBS).
“Peter Woodfork, Major League Baseball‘s senior vice president of baseball operations, made the announcement on Monday. Woodfork cited poor field conditions as a result of heavy afternoon rainfall, as well as a threatening forecast for the evening ahead.
“‘I know it’s disappointing, but in this scenario we want a game we know we can get through nine innings, hopefully play dry baseball and not risk player safety or uncomfortable fans,’ Woodfork said. ‘It’s a big day for Kansas City, a big day for Major League Baseball, but we’ll have to delay it until tomorrow.’
“The Orioles’ Wei-Yin Chen and the Royals’ Jeremy Guthrie will start as scheduled in Game 3. Kansas City holds a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
“‘You’re definitely bummed. You want to play the game,’ the Royals’ Eric Hosmer said. ‘How could you not? All these games, including the game last night on the National League side, are exciting. It’s what October baseball is all about.’
“MLB policy during the postseason is to use the game ticket marked with a number of the game actually being played at a given ballpark. Thus, ALCS Game 3 tickets can now be redeemed on Tuesday, which will have an 8 p.m. ET start.
“Game 4 tickets can be used on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, while Game 5 tickets can be redeemed on Thursday. First pitch of Thursday’s Game 5, if necessary, has been set for 4 ET. All games will air on TBS.
“‘I think, if anything, it’s great for the restaurant business in Kansas City,’ Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. ‘Room service is expensive.’
“The National Weather Service said that drier conditions are expected for Tuesday, with a chance of morning rain expected to give way to partly cloudy skies through the rest of the night. Sunny skies are in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
“Should the series return to Baltimore, the forecast is also favorable. Woodfork said that the scheduled times for Games 6 and 7 at Camden Yards, if necessary, would not be affected by Monday’s rainout.
“‘One of the reasons why we do have two off-days built into the schedule, it’s obviously for weather or other things that can delay a game,’ Woodfork said. ‘Our teams are used to playing consecutive games in a row. Hopefully it will not have a negative impact on either club.’
“Any decisions regarding game postponements during the postseason are in the hands of Major League Baseball, which remains in contact with the Royals, Orioles the umpiring crew and several weather services.”
Everyone will be ready to go when the #ALCS resumes tomorrow. http://t.co/oAjSXp9u2e pic.twitter.com/Q5UBUfs0hd— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2014
ESPN.com’s David Schoenfield argues a rainout could have drastic consequences on the teams’ starting pitchers should the 2104 ALCS go the full distance:
“Here’s how the rotations and schedule lined up prior to the rainout:
“Game 3, Oct. 13: Wei-Yin Chen versus Jeremy Guthrie
“Game 4, Oct. 14: Miguel Gonzalez versus Jason Vargas
“Game 5, Oct. 15: Chris Tillman versus James Shields
“Game 6, Oct. 17: Bud Norris versus Yordano Ventura
“Game 7, Oct. 18: Chen versus Guthrie
“The biggest impact of tonight’s game being rained out wouldn’t come out until a potential Game 7. Game 3 starters Chen and Guthrie would be lined up to start the game on three days of rest (Oct. 16 becomes the date for Game 5 instead of a travel day).
“If Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Royals manager Ned Yost don’t want to start those two guys on short rest, then you’d be looking at each team’s No. 5 starter going in Game 7: That’s Kevin Gausman for the Orioles and Danny Duffy for the Royals (Ubaldo Jimenez isn’t on the Baltimore roster this series). Of course, Gausman has been used as a vital piece of the Baltimore bullpen, so he’s more likely to be used at some point than Duffy.
“Chen on three days of rest — with an all-hands-on-deck approach from the relievers — wouldn’t be the worst option. Of course, the Orioles have to get there first. And that’s if nothing nutty between now and then. Part of what made the 2004 ALCS such a classic series was that two extra-inning games between the (Boston) Red Sox and (New York) Yankees and a rainout before Game 3 created havoc once Game 7 rolled around because some starters had been used in relief.
“The Yankees started Kevin Brown on three days’ rest and he got knocked out in the second inning. The Red Sox started Derek Lowe on two days’ rest and he was magnificent, allowing one run and one hit in six innings.”
Schoenfield predicts the Royals will go on to advance to the 2014 World Series:
“In the best-of-seven era (since 1985), 24 teams have lost the first two games of an LCS. Only three of those recovered to win the series — the 1985 (Kansas City) Royals, the 1985 (St. Louis) Cardinals and 2004 Red Sox. All three did so after losing the first two on the road, so the Orioles are trying to create some sort of history here.
“It’s not unprecedented for a team to win any playoff series after losing the first two at home, however. The 1986 (New York) Mets did it in the World Series, for example.
“It’s going to be a hard task for the Orioles, but win two of three to get back to Camden Yards, and you never know.”
For more of the hottest sports news, log on to Sport Balla today.