Padres Shift Opener to six:40 p.m., Thursday Searching for to Keep away from Rain

The San Diego Padres are scheduled to open the 2023 season Thursday night in opposition to the Colorado Rockies, with the beginning of the sport rescheduled in an try and keep away from a rainout.

The primary pitch has been rescheduled for six:40 p.m. It was initially scheduled for 1:10 p.m. There’s a 45% probability of rain for the unique begin time however between 12% to twenty% on the rescheduled time, based on the Climate Channel.

There have been three rainouts at Petco Park, which opened in 2004, with the newest occurring in 2017.

Rain is more likely to hit San Diego on Thursday, based on the Nationwide Climate Service, which forecast a 70% probability of precipitation.

Left-hander Blake Snell will pitch for the Padres in opposition to Rockies right-hander German Marquez.

Pregame pageantry consists of the unfurling of a United States-shaped flag, held by 75 season ticket members. The nationwide anthem will likely be carried out by saxophonist Jason Brown, who additionally carried out the primary nationwide anthem in Petco Park historical past.

An MH-60S helicopter flyover will observe the nationwide anthem. The ceremonial first pitch will likely be thrown by 2007 Nationwide League Cy Younger Award winner Jake Peavy, who will likely be inducted into the Padres Corridor of Fame this season.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Charitee Swift-Day will carry out “God Bless America” earlier than the seventh-inning stretch.

The Padres are within the uncommon place of being favored to win the Nationwide League West. The web site Fangraphs offers the Padres a 55.4% probability of successful the division and tasks they are going to be 90-72 and end three video games forward of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres final gained the division in 2006.

The location offers the Padres an 11% probability of successful the World Sequence, the second alternative behind the Atlanta Braves, which it offers a 14% probability.

The Padres completed 89-73 in 2022, second within the Nationwide League West, advancing to the postseason for the primary time in an entire season since 2006. They defeated the favored New York Mets in a wild card collection and the Dodgers in a Nationwide League Division Sequence, earlier than shedding to the Philadelphia Phillies within the Nationwide League Championship Sequence.

Following the headline 2022 commerce deadline acquisitions of Juan Soto and Josh Hader, the Padres made a collection of aggressive offseason strikes together with long-term extensions for Manny Machado and Yu Darvish, and several other free agent signings, most notably the 11-year, $280 million deal for shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

Opening Day protection is not going to be hindered by the latest chapter submitting by Diamond Sports activities Group, proprietor of the Bally Sports activities regional sports activities networks. Common season protection on Bally Sports activities San Diego is anticipated for 155 video games, together with Thursday’s. Radio protection is obtainable on 97.3 FM and 860 AM in Spanish.

In associated information, the North County Transit District introduced that Padres’ Coaster trains will take attendees to opening day at Petco Park on Thursday and residential with the brand new sport time.

In response to NCTD, “there are a number of choices for followers” to take the Coaster southbound to Petco Park, in time for when the gates are opened at 4:30 p.m.

A further Padres practice will depart northbound one hour after the final out from Santa Fe Depot for attendees.

Extra data is obtainable at GoNCTD.com/Padres. “With right this moment’s sellout crowd, Padres followers are inspired to take public transit to keep away from the site visitors congestion and dear parking hassles,” based on NCTD officers.

Up to date at 12:15 p.m. March 30, 2023

–Metropolis Information Service