Orioles Yankees Saturday game shifted to Friday doubleheader
The Orioles Yankees Saturday matchup at Yankee Stadium has been moved to Friday as the first game of a single-admission doubleheader, starting at 4:05 p.m., after an impending nor'easter forced the change. CC Sabathia's number retirement ceremony also shifted to before Game 1, but only Friday ticket holders can attend.
The New York Yankees announced Thursday evening that Saturday's scheduled 7:05 p.m. home game against the Baltimore Orioles would open Friday's twin bill instead. Newsday reported that Sabathia's retirement festivities moved with the game, while Saturday ticket holders were left scrambling over exchange rules.
Key Takeaways
- Saturday's Orioles-Yankees game was folded into Friday's single-admission doubleheader, with Game 1 at 4:05 p.m.
- CC Sabathia's number retirement ceremony now takes place before Friday's first pitch.
- Only tickets dated Friday are valid; Saturday tickets will not be accepted for the doubleheader.
- Paid Saturday tickets may be exchanged for a similar regular-season Yankee Stadium game under the rain check policy, subject to availability.
- The first 18,000 fans Friday are set to receive a Josh Hart Yankees bobblehead.
Why Were the Orioles Yankees Forced Into a Friday Doubleheader?
A looming nor'easter made Saturday's planned contest untenable in the Bronx. Rather than wait out the storm, the club moved that game up a day and paired it with Friday's originally scheduled meeting as a single-admission twin bill.
The Sabathia ceremony, long tied to Saturday's 7:05 p.m. start, was shifted to the afternoon slot before Game 1. According to a Newsday source, the Yankees presented limited rescheduling options to Sabathia and his wife Amber and left the final call to them. With friends and family already in New York, they chose Friday afternoon.
Freak schedule flips and fan fallout like this often land in our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage, where sports chaos meets real-world headaches.
What Happens to Fans Who Bought Saturday Tickets?
Here is where the story turned from weather delay to fan revolt. The Yankees said only Friday-dated tickets are valid for the doubleheader. Saturday tickets are not accepted Friday.
Paid Saturday holders may exchange for tickets to a similar regular-season game at Yankee Stadium, subject to availability, under the team's rain check policy. A Yankees spokesman declined to comment to Newsday.
Fans who bought Saturday seats specifically for Sabathia called the policy disappointing and unfair. Rockville Centre's Casey Powell said his wife got the tickets as a birthday gift and argued a split doubleheader would have let Saturday buyers still attend. Selden's Desirae Ross, who bought tickets as a Father's Day gift, said none of her group could go and that fans should be allowed refunds. WFAN's Shaun Morash said offering exchanges for a later game when many bought only for the ceremony "is a disgrace."
When Does Friday's Orioles Yankees Twin Bill Start?
Game 1 is set for 4:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium and is listed on FOX, per Yahoo Sports. Probable pitchers for that opener include Baltimore right-hander Brandon Young and New York lefty Michael Fulmer.
The first 18,000 fans Friday are also set to receive a Josh Hart Yankees bobblehead—another perk Saturday ticket holders will miss under the single-admission setup.
For the latest on the Orioles Yankees series and the Sabathia tribute, see the schedule update on MLB.com.