Opening Day & Weather Together

Tomorrow marks the first day of the 2011 MLB Season -- a first in a long time for baseball to start its season in the middle of the week as opposed to the early parts of the week, which have been the "traditional" opening day(s) for baseball teams for nearly 30 years.   The last time the Phillies didn't open on either Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday was in 1995, when their season started on a Wednesday in St. Louis (thank you 1994 Strike).  The 1982 season was the last time a regularly scheduled (and fully played) season started late week.   The switch to a late week start was made in order to start the season for everyone on/around April 1st and, more importantly, get the postseason done by the end of October so games wouldn't be played too late into November going forward.

Weather-wise, the eastern and northeastern parts of the country will have the most risk for delays and cancellations between Thursday night and Friday.  Given that the Yankees play Thursday during the day and not Friday, that the Red Sox are in Texas, and the Mets are in South Florida that leaves the Phillies.   Timing-wise, the storm is looking (as of midday) like it should be out of Philadelphia comfortably in time for the scheduled 1:05 PM start.   Whether the precipitation type in this storm is willing to cooperate (rain is better in this case than snow) remains to be seen but the Phillies game does have the "best" chance to have some sort of delay or postponement.   The Yankees game could run into some rain during the late afternoon hours, particularly towards dinner, as rain from the potential coastal storm begins to work up the coast.

While the rest of the country should have better weather, the Midwest could see some showers, which may dampen play in St. Louis and Kansas City tomorrow.  Other than that, much of the country should enjoy decent weather and in the West and South, rather warm temperatures for the end of March and beginning of April.   At least someone is enjoying Spring!