CLEVELAND — It's a decision that will certainly confuse some, especially since the conditions look much better than less than 24 hours ago.
Saturday's Indians game against Toronto has been postponed due to weather, the team announced within two hours of the scheduled 4:10 p.m. first pitch. Since this is the Blue Jays' only scheduled trip to Cleveland this year, it will be made up as part of a traditional doubleheader on Sunday.
The move is, to say the least, perplexing, especially since both teams played Friday night despite a driving rainstorm and winds of up to 45 mph (the game was finally called in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Jays an 11-2 victory). Saturday's forecast calls for temperatures only in the mid-50s, but the wind has died down and there is little (if any) rain expected.
What's more, this now means the Tribe will have to play two consecutive doubleheaders, as they had already been set to play two against the Chicago White Sox on Monday to make up a rained out game from back on Apr. 21. Due to COVID-19 pandemic rules, doubleheader games will only go seven innings each this season, rather than the customary nine.
Fans who had tickets for Saturday's game will not be able to use them for the Sunday games, but can exchange them for any remaining contest at Progressive Field starting with the June 11 homestand. What's more, today's planned Stainless Steel Tumbler promotional giveaway will be moved to that June 11 showdown against the Seattle Mariners, the first game where the team plans to welcome full capacity into the stadium since 2019.
Sunday's twin-billing is scheduled to start at 1:10 p.m., with the second game getting under way roughly 30 minutes after the first. Tickets for that date will be good for both matchups.
Terry Francona will not manage this weekend as his attends his youngest daughter's wedding, and bench coach DeMarlo Hale will fill in. Francona expects to be back in time for Monday's doubleheader, which is set for 3:05 p.m.
