Relocated Cubs-Red Sox Finale Set for Tropicana Field With Playoff Seeding Live
The short version
- MLB relocated the Cubs-Red Sox season finale from Fenway Park to Tropicana Field due to an early nor'easter in New England.
- The Red Sox have clinched their playoff seeding; the Cubs' wild-card destination is still undecided.
- Chicago could open the playoffs Tuesday in San Diego, Atlanta, or at home depending on results.
- First pitch is 3:05 PM EDT, airing on MLB.TV, Marquee Sports Net, and NESN.
An early nor'easter in New England pushed the final regular-season game between Chicago and Boston to St. Petersburg, where the Cubs' postseason path is still unresolved.
The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox will close their regular seasons Sunday in an unexpected venue. An unusually early nor'easter in New England forced Major League Baseball to relocate the finale of a series originally set for Fenway Park, moving the game to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The finale had been a marquee date since the 2025 schedule release, with two of baseball's most historic venues and fan bases involved. Instead, the teams will meet in the Rays' domed stadium, which has been renovated since it was damaged by Hurricane Milton two years ago.
The venue shift comes with complications. Boston plays at the Trop twice a year against Tampa Bay as an American League East rival, giving the Red Sox more familiarity with the building. Red Sox fans also have a strong presence on Florida's west coast near the team's spring training home in Fort Myers, though Cubs fans are known to travel as well.
The scheduling decision has drawn criticism, including the argument that Wrigley Field was available with a clear Sunday forecast and could have hosted the single game. Moving the entire series to Chicago would have been unfair to the Phillies and Padres, but some observers felt one game at Wrigley was the simpler solution.
There is precedent for such a move. In 1990, MLB shifted a rained-out White Sox-Rangers game from Chicago to Arlington, Texas, after a seven-and-a-half-hour rain delay at Comiskey Park, costing the White Sox a home game during a stretch run in which they were 4 1/2 games out of first. That makeup doubleheader featured a 1-0, 13-inning Nolan Ryan pitching duel, a brawl in the opener, and Carlton Fisk breaking Johnny Bench's career home run record for catchers.
For Boston, Sunday's outcome carries little weight. The Red Sox have already locked in their playoff seeding, making the game largely meaningless for them. The Cubs' situation is entirely different after dropping both ends of a doubleheader Friday in Boston.
Chicago, which clinched a playoff spot Thursday, woke up Saturday still uncertain of its wild-card destination. Depending on results, the Cubs could open the postseason Tuesday in San Diego, Atlanta, or at home, with the struggling Phillies affecting the math. A loss Sunday would mean five defeats in six games heading into the playoffs.
Manager Craig Counsell has told his team to adapt and have fun with whatever comes their way. First pitch Sunday is set for 3:05 PM EDT, and the game competes locally with the Buccaneers hosting the Vikings, so a small crowd is expected. Fans can watch on MLB.TV, Marquee Sports Network, and NESN.
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