As Hurricane Irma churns toward Florida, and after much consideration by MLB, the Tampa Bay Rays have confirmed that their home series against the Yankees, scheduled for September 11-13, will now be played at Citi Field.
The ball club is working on details and options for fans (like yours truly) who had tickets to the Yankees games that were to be played at Tropicana Field. Information on that, as well as the procurement of tickets to the games at Citi Field, should be released soon.
The Rays were initially scheduled to return home on Sunday following the weekend series in Boston, although the players were told to pack extra clothes knowing the very realistic possibility the trip would be extended from three to six games because of the storm.
In a statement, Rays president Brian Auld called the decision one that was made based on concern for the well being of the team’s fans, families, friends, and neighbors:
After much consideration, our games against the Yankees will be moved to Citi Field as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida. We are grateful to the Mets for opening their doors to us. We are most concerned with the safety of our fans, our families, friends and neighbors.
The games will be played Monday and Tuesday at 7:10, then Wednesday at 1:10, and the Rays will be the de facto home team.
Discussion had been ongoing over the last few days about different options, including the flip-flopping the last two Rays and Yankees final series’ of the season, or playing the upcoming set at a neutral site like Baltimore, which had was considered a top possibility.
However, based on stadium and hotel availability, Citi Field allegedly turned out to be the best option.
MLB moved TB-NYY series Citi and not Baltimore or another neutral site due to hotel issues, source says. Only need rooms for one team in NY.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 8, 2017
It’s not hard to find a hotel in New York City for the Rays, while the Yankees wouldn’t have to travel at all.
#Astros were upset when #Rangers would not swap home series due to Harvey. #Rays arguably in worse position going to NY, but not squawking.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 8, 2017
It is a rather ironic decision though, seeing that an Astros/Rangers series was relocated from Houston to the Trop a couple of weeks back, due to storm damage from Hurricane Harvey. The last time I checked St. Petersburg is smaller than Baltimore, so it’s surprising that there would be more hotel rooms in the Tampa Bay Area than in a larger metropolitan area, like Baltimore/DC.
The decision also seems a bit unfair for the Rays, as it is akin to giving the Yankees another home series — and/or an inherent advantage — when both teams are contending for one of the two AL Wildcard spots. To put it bluntly, an 11 mile difference between Yankee Stadium and Citi Field does not a neutral site make.
At least one person is likely excited: Still Sternberg. His team is playing in the home of his favorite team, and all in the comfort of his own backyard.