Sox-O's postponed to Friday due to rain

BOSTON -- The Red Sox and Orioles will have to wait one more day to start the 2021 season at Fenway Park.

Rather than have fans sit in rainy weather for what was supposed to be Opening Day on Thursday, the Red Sox made the decision in the morning to postpone the game until Friday.

The starting time of 2:10 p.m. ET will be the same as it would have been on Thursday.

Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Red Sox, and John Means will go for the Orioles -- just as they would have on Thursday.

Thursday's forecast called for periods of rain throughout the day in the Fenway area. Friday's forecast has sunny skies and the temperature in the mid 40s.

"The decision to postpone our first game of the season was not made lightly," said Red Sox president/CEO Sam Kennedy. "The built-in off-day was created for just this purpose, and tomorrow's forecast for sunshine also factored into our decision. We have been eager to have fans back at Fenway Park for the first time in 18 months and look forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow under brighter and drier conditions."

Tickets for Thursday's game will be good for admission on Friday. Gates will open two hours before the first pitch and pregame ceremonies are scheduled to start at 1:40.

Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines. With the giant American flag draped over the left-field wall, Springfield native Michelle Brooks-Thompson will perform the national anthem.

As has been customary for years at the opener, there will be a flyover, but with three different aircrafts flying out of three New England states. This year's flyover will include an F-15 from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, an F-35 from Vermont's Air National Guard (the Green Mountain Boys) and a Tanker plane from Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire.

The singing of "God Bless America" in the middle of the seventh inning will be performed by the Boston Fire Department Acappella Quartet.

The Red Sox will welcome over 100 healthcare heroes to the ballpark for Opening Day. Through a partnership with Dell Technologies, 10,000 tickets will be distributed to healthcare workers throughout the 2021 season.