It's the season of a total eclipse in Cleveland, and perhaps the Guardians can play a day-night doubleheader for their home opener.
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More accurately, they'll be playing just one game, but it will seem like one in two days. Or something like that.
The eclipse is expected to hit Cleveland right about 2 p.m. EST. It is expected to end entirely about 4:30. The Guardians' first pitch against the Chicago White Sox is scheduled for 5:10 p.m.
Logan Allen will take the mound for the Guardians, and Cleveland is said to be prepared for more than just an MLB game.
"There will be batting practice, then a science lecture and then a baseball game. What will unfold at Progressive Field will be something that hasn't happened since 1806," wrote Zack Meisel of The Athletic.
Clearly, this won't be like any old home opener. Right about 200,0o0 people are expected to embark on Cleveland for the eclipse. So it could be mayhem, traffic-wise, for those who are only coming to town for the game.
City officials understand all this and have been preparing for weeks.
"Cleveland city officials consulted colleagues in New York, Tennessee and Wyoming for guidance on their preparation," Meisel wrote. "They formed committees involving NASA, the Great Lakes Science Center, the local Metro Parks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the city of Avon Lake (which falls directly on the center line of totality) and the Guardians."
For the record, the game is sold out — not necessarily a big surprise. It is, after all, the home opener. Entry to Progressive Field will pause until 3:15, and yes, the Guardians will be handing out protective eyewear.
They'll also be hyping up the fact their team will be at the epicenter of the darkness ... before it gets light again and it'll be time to play ball.
"Pregame introductions will begin at 4:35 p.m., a few minutes after the sun and moon finish mingling," Meisel wrote. "Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley, a couple of longtime Cleveland cornerstones who retired over the winter, will reunite for the ceremonial first pitch."
Allen is starting in place of ace Shane Beiber, who needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Already, a bit of darkness has been cast over the team. The one caused by the sun and moon, however, will last just a few minutes.
