Friday night at PNC Park was set to be a showcase of Major League Baseball action as the Philadelphia Phillies faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, Mother Nature had other plans, delaying the game due to persistent rain showers that hung over Pittsburgh. Originally scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. ET, the first pitch was pushed back to 8:00 p.m. ET as the teams and fans awaited clearer skies.
This rain delay marked the second consecutive game for the Pirates to face weather-related disruptions. Just the night before, on June 5, 2025, the Pirates endured a grueling three-hour and 22-minute rain delay against the Houston Astros, which saw the game’s start pushed from 6:40 p.m. to 10:02 p.m. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, that marathon wait ended in a tough 8-2 loss to the Astros, a game that stretched well past midnight.
The Pirates’ weather woes this season have been significant. The June 6 delay against the Phillies was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern that has plagued Pittsburgh’s 2025 campaign. In total, the Pirates have experienced seven rain delays this season, with four of those occurring in May alone. Notably, back-to-back rain delays at PNC Park against the San Diego Padres on May 2 and May 3 disrupted those games by 70 minutes and one hour and 40 minutes respectively.
Other delays have included a brief 15-minute postponement before a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 14 and a nearly two-hour in-game delay against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 22, which the Pirates lost 8-5. Overall, Pittsburgh’s record in rain delay games has been a disappointing 1-5, with their only victory coming in a 4-0 shutout against the Mets during a series finale.
The Phillies and Pirates themselves have faced each other under weather-affected conditions twice this season. Aside from Friday’s delay, the teams opened a series on May 16, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia with a rain delay of one hour and 45 minutes, moving the first pitch from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. That game set a precedent for the ongoing weather challenges in this rivalry.
Friday’s matchup featured a pitching duel that fans were eager to see, with Joe Ross set to take the mound for the Phillies and Bailey Falter expected to start for the Pirates. Ross, coming off a series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, was looking to stabilize Philadelphia's pitching staff, while Falter had been surprisingly effective this season, giving the Pirates hope in a tough National League Central division.
Despite the delay, the Pirates were hopeful that the weather would improve swiftly. An update at 7:15 p.m. EST confirmed that the game was expected to start at 8:00 p.m., with the delay lasting approximately one hour and 20 minutes. This was a marked improvement over the previous night's extended wait and a sign that the skies might finally clear enough for play.
Fans in Pittsburgh remain familiar with the frustration of rain delays, especially after the taxing experience against the Astros. The Pirates’ management and players have expressed their determination to push through these setbacks to avoid the fatigue and scheduling complications that come with postponed or doubleheader games.
While the Phillies entered the game as -133 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, the Pirates, as +110 underdogs, were looking to capitalize on any vulnerabilities. The total run line was set at an over/under of 8.5, indicating expectations of a moderately high-scoring contest. Both teams had plenty to prove, with the Pirates eager to bounce back from recent losses and the Phillies aiming to regain momentum after their recent struggles.
In the broader context, these weather delays have impacted the Pirates’ rhythm and performance throughout the season. The accumulation of rain delays not only disrupts the flow of games but also affects player preparation and fan engagement. Pittsburgh’s 2025 season has been a test of patience and resilience in the face of these uncontrollable elements.
As the game finally got underway at 8:00 p.m. ET, all eyes were on PNC Park to see if the Pirates could overcome the weather-induced hurdles and deliver a strong performance against their division rivals. With the game still in progress, the outcome remains uncertain, but the anticipation and energy in the stadium are palpable.
For the Pirates, the hope is that this rain delay will be the last major weather disruption they face this season, allowing them to focus fully on their on-field efforts. For the Phillies, it’s an opportunity to assert their dominance and capitalize on the Pirates’ recent struggles.
As the evening unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, eager to see how these two teams navigate the challenges of the game and the lingering effects of a season marked by unpredictable weather delays.
