CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Matt Strahm #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait during media day at BayCare Ballpark on February 23, 2023 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
BREAKING: Phillies-Rays Series Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
Philadelphia, PA – The highly anticipated four-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park has been postponed due to inclement weather.
The decision to postpone the series was made after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Philadelphia area, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to continue throughout the evening.
The first game of the series was originally scheduled to start at 7:05 PM ET, but the forecast prompted both teams and Major League Baseball to take the prudent decision to postpone the game.
“It’s a safety first approach for us,” said Phillies manager Joe Girardi. “We want to make sure our players, our coaches, and our fans are all safe. We’re working with the Rays and MLB to reschedule the series for a later date.”
The postponement marks the second time this season that the Phillies have had a game affected by weather, with their April 10th game against the Atlanta Braves being delayed due to a rain delay.
The Rays, who are currently in second place in the American League East, were looking forward to their first series of the season against the National League East-leading Phillies.
“We’re disappointed, but we understand that safety is the top priority,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “We’ll regroup and look forward to playing them soon.”
The rescheduled dates for the series have not been announced yet, but fans are advised to keep an eye on the Phillies’ and Rays’ social media accounts for updates.
In related news, the Phillies’ minor league affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, have postponed their game against the Durham Bulls due to a wet field.
