Phillies-Rays finale moved up ahead of expected rain as D-backs hope for Phillies loss

The Arizona Diamondbacks need a Philadelphia Phillies loss Sunday in order to have a chance at nabbing the final National League playoff spot, and the teams will no longer start their games around the same time.

Philadelphia moved its first pitch time up 35 minutes to now start at 11:30 a.m. MST, which is 40 minutes before the scheduled first pitch between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.

“The earlier start is intended to provide the best opportunity to play today’s game without interruption,” the Phillies said on social media.

Parts of the Philadelphia area are under flood warnings Sunday.

The move up comes after Saturday’s game saw a delayed start.

Arizona is one game back of Philadelphia entering the final day of the regular season, needing a Phillies loss to the Tampa Bay Rays and a win of its own against the San Diego Padres. Neither the Rays nor the Padres have anything to play for with their playoff spots locked up.

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