The White Sox and Detroit Tigers will have to wait another day to begin the 2017 season.
A persistent, steady rain in the Chicago area led to Monday's Opening Day game at Guaranteed Rate Field being postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday at 1:10 p.m, with Jose Quintana squaring off against Justin Verlander. The game will still be broadcast on CSN Chicago.
Monday's regularly scheduled game was initially delayed from its 3:10 p.m. start time, though the tarp was removed from both baselines so the Tigers and White Sox could be introduced, as they traditionally are before the first game of the season. After White Sox players filed in on convertibles driven around the warning track from center field, the tarp was rolled back behind the pitcher's mound so 2005 World Series champion and CSN Chicago White Sox pre- and postgame analyst Scott Podsednik could throw out of the first pitch.
Absent from the pregame introductions were starters Jose Quintana and Justin Verlander, though. The bullpen mounds in left field and right field remained under tarps for the duration of the afternoon. The goal of going through the pregame festivities was to be efficient so if a window to start the game did open, both teams could've warmed up and began play as quickly as possible.
"We’re all still excited about getting it going," manager Rick Renteria said. "We delay it one day, but I think the guys are ready to get started, and tomorrow will be the same for us as it was today. Get ready to go out there and play."
All used and unused tickets from Monday's game will be good for admission to Tuesday's game, and parking will be free. In addition, the White Sox offered those holding tickets to the game the option to go on Tuesday or exchange the ticket for a different game later in the season. Details from the White Sox:
In consideration for how the postponement might disrupt the schedules of fans, the White Sox also announced that fans holding tickets to today’s originally scheduled game (April 3) can bring their used or unused ticket to the Guaranteed Rate Field box office any time during regular business hours and receive a complimentary lower box or outfield reserve ticket to any future White Sox game, excluding the following dates: May 29-31 vs. Boston, June 24 vs. Oakland, June 26-29 vs. New York-AL, July 18-19 vs. Los Angeles-NL and July 26-27 vs. the Cubs, based on availability.