PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Phillies fans will have to wait another day for the first World Series game in the city since 2009, and the start of what could be one of the most incredible weeks in the city’s sports history.
Thanks to consistent rain being forecasted for the duration of Monday night, Major League Baseball announced that they are postponing Game 3 of the Phillies’ game against the Houston Astros until Tuesday night.
NBC10 First Alert meteorologist Steven Sosna said steady rain was expected to fall in the middle to late hours of the evening, concurrent with the time during and after the scheduled 8:03 p.m. first pitch.
Game 5 would be scheduled for Thursday, with Friday becoming a travel day.
The good news, according to Sosna, is that the forecast looks fantastic for baseball the next two nights.
When the rain subsides, this week has a chance to be extraordinary in Philadelphia sports.
First, the Phillies and the Union have it all on the line, with at least three more World Series games, and a championship soccer match. And the Eagles have a chance to make franchise history.
Rob Thomson's Phillies got a much-needed split against the Houston Astros in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series. The next three games are at home in this best-of-seven. Now the Phils get 45,000-plus to help them make things tough for the Astros.
"Really excited to get back home, stealing the home field advantage from them. We're really excited to get back home and play in front of our fan base,” Bryce Harper told NBC Sports Philadelphia.
"Taking it back to the Bank,” said pitcher Noah Syndergaard. “I think we're pretty dangerous. That play environment’s really gonna help us out, and I'm just really excited, on a personal level, … just to get back to the great passionate fans of Philadelphia.”
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Syndergaard is Thomson’s starting pitcher for Monday’s scheduled game.
"I feel like I can go over as long as they allow me to. I mean, just got to — now's the time, as ever, to empty the tanks, leave nothing left — although, as long as they'll allow me," Syndergaard said.
He really hasn't had a traditional start since the middle of September, Thompson said.
"He's a big, strong guy. It's the World Series, so we'll see how he does,” Thomson said. “He feels he's thrown the ball well, and he's not rusty, and he's sharp. You know, we'll keep going as long as he feels good."
What about the potential pressure on Syndergaard in this massive Game 4?
"I don't really worry too much about Noah, about his nerves and getting caught up in the moment. He's a pretty steady guy, and he's been through it before, so I feel pretty confident in that," Thomson said.
The Eagles have a chance to make franchise history
In the meantime, the Eagles played really well Sunday against Pittsburgh, including three touchdown catches for wide receiver A.J. Brown — though, you wouldn't know it listening to him.
"I'm really kind of upset right now, because I know I could have had … an even bigger day. You know, I made the most of the opportunity. So there's definitely room for improvement," Brown said.
Jalen Hurts had a career-high four touchdown passes in Sunday’s blowout 35-13 win at the Linc.
"I guess I was in the zone. I feel like I could have done more," Hurts said.
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By coincidence, the Eagles will now be in Houston on Thursday. Houston is Hurts’ hometown.
"Going back home and playing in Houston has always been a dream of mine, and I never had the opportunity to go play in Reliant [Stadium] as a kid — now known as NRG [Stadium] — and it'd be exciting."
If they win, they will be 8-0 for the very first time in franchise history.
Head coach Nick Sirianni could not thank you the fans enough
"So much of a shout out to our fans,” he said. “This is Philly. This is what makes Philly one of the best — the best sports town in America. It’s freaking awesome."
The Union gear up for a championship soccer match
And the best sports town in America has a chance at the MLS Cup.
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Jim Curtin’s Union won the MLS Eastern Conference — another first — with an epic 3-1 comeback over New York City FC at a packed Subaru park.
"That was the loudest This place has ever been and I don't think it's close. So another great memory for all of us and still more work to do and one more game,” Curtin said.
Next up: Saturday in Los Angeles, the Union will face LAFC to win it all.
"We can play with anybody. We've proven that all season,” Curtin said. But to get where they are, to win the Eastern Conference, is no small feat, and he doesn’t take any of it for granted.
"We have to stay humble and hungry, like we have all season, and really make it as hard as possible for LAFC."
Curtin was pretty candid about the slow — and growing — burn of Major League Soccer in Philadelphia.
"To see this grow in the city the way it has — year by year, gradually, get better and better — to be talked about the way I get, the mentions with the Phillies and the Sixers and the Eagles and the Flyers has been a testament to all you guys that cover the team and have grown this thing along the way,” Curtin said. “So we got work to do still, but it's been fun to really be a part of it."