Phillies-Twins Field of Dreams game faces rain threat in Iowa
Philadelphia and Minnesota meet in Iowa’s first Field of Dreams Game since 2022, with thunderstorms forecast before the Netflix-only broadcast.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
The Phillies-Twins Field of Dreams game brings Major League Baseball back to Dyersville, Iowa, on Thursday night for the first time since 2022, but scattered thunderstorms could complicate the return. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix, according to NBC Sports’ viewing guide.
CBS Sports reported a forecast calling for variable clouds, scattered thunderstorms, gusty winds and a 60% chance of rain. That is a weather forecast, not an announced delay or postponement.
How can viewers watch the Phillies-Twins Field of Dreams game?
The regular-season game is streaming only on Netflix. It is the third MLB Field of Dreams Game, played at a newly built ballpark about 500 feet from the site used for the 1989 film, NBC Sports reported.
If rain prevents the game from being played Thursday, Phillies outlet The Good Phight reported that MLB planned to reschedule it for Friday night. No official MLB announcement was included in the available reporting.
A new park, and no ball-strike challenges
The permanent venue seats 8,000 and has major-league dimensions: 335 feet down each line, 380 feet to the alleys and 400 feet to center field, according to CBS Sports.
There will be one unusual rule wrinkle. The field does not have the automated ball-strike system needed for challenges, CBS Sports reported, so teams cannot ask for reviews of ball and strike calls.
The previous Iowa games came on a temporary field. The Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees 9-8 in 2021, then the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 in 2022. The event paused while the site underwent renovations, according to CBS Sports and NBC Sports.
Who is pitching and what is the betting pick?
Philadelphia is scheduled to send Aaron Nola to the mound. CBS Sports lists the right-hander at 3-9 with a 5.47 ERA and says he has yielded an MLB-high 29 home runs this season, though he has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last three outings. The outlet also reported that Nola was cleared to start after a right-knee contusion.
Minnesota is set to start Taj Bradley, who CBS Sports lists at 9-4 with a 3.76 ERA.
For bettors, CBS Sports writer Matt Severance’s same-game-parlay recommendation is Phillies +1.5 and an alternate total under 10.5 runs, listed at +106 at DraftKings. That is one analyst’s pick, rather than a consensus forecast, and the rain risk adds another variable before first pitch.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.