Cleveland's opener shaping up to be historically cold
The boys of summer will be competing with Mother Nature in Cleveland on Monday.
Temperatures plummeted to 34 degrees Fahrenheit ahead of the Indians' home opener against the Boston Red Sox, one day after the Pirates' grounds crew was forced to shovel snow off the field before the first game of the 2016 campaign.
According to research compiled by MLB Network's Zach Lupica, the current temperature at Progressive Field would make Monday's game the second-coldest Opening Day matchup since 1990.
That's snow and ice in right field at Progressive Field on Sunday just before noon. pic.twitter.com/LoeboRTHmn
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) April 3, 2016
Among one of the more marquee games on MLB's second Opening Day, the anticipated matchup features former Cy Young winners David Price and Corey Kluber, and will be David Ortiz's final season opener. Weather notwithstanding, players from both teams were busy keeping warm and focused on Game No. 1.
Josh Tomlin. Baseball weather. pic.twitter.com/ltIxCIenrr
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 4, 2016
#RedSox got on the field. Now Betts and Castillo warm their hands. pic.twitter.com/9240Gfu67o
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) April 3, 2016
For Red Sox starter David Price, the chilled temperatures offer him an opportunity for redemption, following his April 22 start last season in Detroit, where he allowed eight runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Yankees in a snow-filled affair.
Snowing right now...I want my revenge pitching in the snow!! I need it
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) April 4, 2016
Monday's forecast calls for a 15 percent chance of precipitation by game time, which is set for 4:10 p.m. ET.