ST. PETERSBURG - Major League Baseball is moving the final game of the Chicago Cubs-Boston Red Sox series to Tropicana Field on Sunday after a strong storm brought severe weather to the Northeast, forcing the game out of Fenway Park in Boston.
The Red Sox will serve as the home team for the relocated contest, only the sixth time in Major League Baseball history that weather concerns have required moving games to a neutral site. The Rays or Tropicana Field have now been involved in two of those six instances.
“We’re proud to support our partners across Major League Baseball by hosting the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field and helping ensure fans can enjoy this matchup despite the weather challenges in the Northeast,” said Tampa Bay Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby.
Babby also pointed to the league’s support of the Rays during their own facility hardships as motivation for stepping in. “When Tropicana Field was damaged, clubs throughout the league stepped up to support our organization during an incredibly challenging time. We’re grateful for that solidarity and are pleased to return the favor by welcoming the Cubs, Red Sox, and their fans to Tropicana Field on Sunday.”
The five previous neutral-site relocations due to weather span nearly two decades of MLB history. The Yankees-Rays series moved to Citi Field in New York in September 2017 due to Hurricane Irma. That same summer, Hurricane Harvey pushed three Texas Rangers-Houston Astros games to Tropicana Field from Aug. 29-31, 2017. Hurricane Ike sent two Cubs-Astros games to Miller Park in Milwaukee in September 2008, and Hurricane Ivan relocated two Montreal Expos-Florida Marlins games to U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago in September 2004. A spring snowstorm moved three Los Angeles Angels-Cleveland Indians games to Miller Park in April 2007.
Sunday’s game is scheduled to be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.