The Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals were set to commence a two-game series on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Busch Stadium. However, the game was postponed due to heavy rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, which had moved through eastern Missouri after making landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane. The persistent rain led to concerns about localized flooding and unplayable field conditions, prompting the decision to postpone the game.
To accommodate the postponed game, the teams scheduled a split doubleheader for Wednesday, July 10. The first game was set to begin at 12:45 p.m. CT, with the originally scheduled second game to follow at 6:45 p.m. CT. Gates were scheduled to open at 11:45 a.m. for the first game and at 5:15 p.m. for the second. Tickets from the postponed Tuesday game were valid for the first game of the doubleheader, and fans were to receive a voucher for a future Monday-Thursday home game during the 2024 season.
The Royals adjusted their pitching rotation for the doubleheader. Alec Marsh (6-6, 4.57 ERA) was slated to start the first game, while Michael Wacha (5-6, 3.74 ERA) was scheduled for the second. The Cardinals had announced Sonny Gray (9-5, 3.30 ERA) as the starter for the second game, with the starter for the first game yet to be determined.
This postponement marked the second consecutive day off for the Royals, following their scheduled off-day on Monday. They were in the midst of an eight-game road trip, set to conclude in Boston. The team held a 49-43 record, placing them third in the American League Central standings, trailing the Twins and Guardians. ([mlb.com][4], [kmbc.com][6])
The Cardinals, with a 48-42 record, were six games above .500 for the first time in the season. The unexpected day off provided an opportunity for the team to rest their bullpen, which had been heavily utilized in recent games. Additionally, both teams were permitted to recall a 27th player for the doubleheader, offering roster flexibility. ([athlonsports.com][7], [mlb.com][4])
The postponement due to inclement weather underscored the challenges teams face with scheduling during the MLB season. However, the proactive rescheduling into a doubleheader allowed both teams to maintain their season momentum while ensuring player safety and accommodating fan attendance.
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