Rain likely for Royals-Orioles ALCS opener in Baltimore

According to the National Weather Service, an 80 percent chance of rain is predicted in Baltimore for game one of the American League Championship Series.

Showers are expected to hit after 6 p.m., which could mean a steady amount of rain falling during the Royals’ matchup against the Orioles. The Baltimore Sun reports heavy rain could start about two hours after first pitch.

A rainout Friday would mean the teams would play Saturday and Sunday in Baltimore instead of taking Sunday off as a travel day as the best-of-seven series shifts to Kansas City for games three, four and five.

Chris Strong, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Baltimore/Washington forecast office, told The Sun the prime area of concern for rain Friday was between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern time. The game starts at 7:07 p.m. Central on TBS.

Up to a half an inch of rain is predicted in that time period, according to the National Weather Service.

Royals right-hander James Shields, who’s slated to start game one Friday, was asked about the rain forecast in Baltimore pushing back first pitch or even the game one day.

“I heard it’s 40 percent,” Shields said, laughing, before adding he wasn’t really concerned.

“I’ve pitched a lot of games, actually this year, in some rain. Sometimes that’s the way it goes…” he said. “You kind of just have to go with the flow”

This story was originally published October 9, 2014 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Rain likely for Royals-Orioles ALCS opener in Baltimore."