DC rain delay updates for Hurston Waldrep’s debut

Whatever the Atlanta Braves probably thought about their trip to the nation’s capital for a four-game weekend series against the Washington Nationals, they probably didn’t see it. But even after winning the first game before losing the next two thanks to anemic offensive performances, they still entered Sunday with a chance to split the series.

Even more important for the Braves is a hopeful fix for the gap at the fifth spot in the starting rotation with top prospect and former first-round pick Hurston Waldrep set for his MLB debut. But unfortunately, we will have to wait.

The Nationals and Stadium announced that the game, originally scheduled for a 1:35 p.m. ET first pitch, would begin with a weather delay with inclement weather and rain in the area.

So when will the game actually start after this delay?

In truth, the weather doesn’t look bad enough to justify a delay. However, rain and strong winds are forecast early this afternoon. That said, this delay based on forecast rain stopping around 2 p.m. ET should cease and the Braves-Nationals game should be on track to start no later than 2:30 p.m. ET.

However, once again the weather leading up to the start of the match raised some questions about the need for a delay. MLB.com Braves insider Mark Bowman showed a press photo of the weather and, well, it looked like a beautiful day.

That said, with sustained winds of around 15 to 20 mph, rain is expected to arrive quickly, but fortunately it will come just as quickly, with the forecast downpours only looking like they will last about an hour. With that and the high winds, a slight delay makes sense.