Red Sox Phillies game start time changed due to rain. Here's new start time

The start of Thursday night’s game between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies was delayed because of rainy weather conditions around Fenway Park.

Originally scheduled for 6:45 p.m., the first pitch has now been pushed back to 7:05 p.m. as officials monitor improving conditions later in the evening.

Change the start time of Red Sox vs Phillies game

The Red Sox released a statement at 4:46 p.m. confirming that the organization was consulting with Major League Baseball and multiple weather services before making a final decision on the game. 

Team officials noted that showers were expected in the Boston area during the early evening hours, but forecasts suggested the weather would gradually improve overnight.

Since the Phillies are not scheduled to return to Fenway Park this season, Boston emphasized that every effort would be made to play the game as planned.

According to the National Weather Service, the Boston area is expected to see showers and a possible thunderstorm before 2 a.m., followed by scattered rain overnight.

Forecasters are also predicting patchy fog, temperatures near 48 degrees, and light north winds. Rainfall totals of a quarter to a half inch are possible, with precipitation chances around 80%.

On the field, left-hander Ranger Suárez is set to start for Boston against his former team. The Venezuelan pitcher, now 30 years old, spent the 2018-2025 seasons with Philadelphia and posted a 3.38 ERA across 187 appearances, including 119 starts. Suárez enters Thursday’s game with a 2-2 record and a 2.77 ERA. The Phillies will counter with Jesús Luzardo, who is 3-3 this season with a 5.77 ERA.

Boston’s lineup includes seven right-handed hitters, including Andruw Monasterio at designated hitter and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second base.

The weather delay comes just days after the Red Sox faced criticism for a controversial rainout against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 9.

That game was postponed only minutes before first pitch despite forecasts showing heavy rain throughout the day. 

Many fans had already arrived at Fenway Park and spent money on transportation, parking, food, drinks, and merchandise before the late cancellation announcement was made.

Because of that recent experience, many fans attending Thursday’s matchup were closely watching weather updates and waiting for an earlier decision from team officials. 

The delayed start announcement was viewed by some as an effort to avoid another last-minute postponement and give fans clearer expectations before the game begins.