UPDATE, 7:40 PM: The Reds say this game will begin at 8:00 PM EST. Go Nationals.
The Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds were supposed to kick off a three-game series Friday night on the banks of the river, but unfortunately, the prescribed rains came early.
Cincinnati has thunderstorms (a severe thunderstorm watch, in fact) in the forecast, so the folks at Major League Baseball got well ahead of this one, calling a delay nearly two hours before first pitch at 5:12 EST.
If you're visiting from DC, it might be a wise idea to hole up in your hotel a bit before heading down to Great American Ball Park.
The start of tonight's #Reds-Nationals game will be delayed due to weather. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 2, 2025
Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds Rain Delay, Weather for May 2, 2025: Full Details, Updates
Friday's Nationals lineup for Game 33 was supposed to be fronted by CJ Abrams and James Wood, following a beautiful salvaging of an intriguing series in Philadelphia, as the Nats held off the Phils with a whimper to capture the final game.
Mitchell Parker was the intended Nationals starter; he carries a 3-1 record and a 2.65 ERA into action Friday night, whenever it begins. He'll oppose Reds ace Hunter Greene, one of the game's brightest young flamethrowers. That's ... not exactly how Parker records outs (20 Ks in 37 1/3 innings, a throwback if we've ever seen one), and the match of contrasting styles will be exciting if this game ever does get underway.
It might not be too long before the head office needs to figure out mutual off days and extra padding surrounding the Nationals' next trip to Cincy. According to the local forecast, rain could last through Monday, with scattered thunderstorms clouding up Sunday's window.
Stay tuned for additional information as it becomes available. In the meantime, DC sports fans can watch Game 6 of Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference portion of the NHL playoffs. It's never too early to start scouting potential Stanley Cup Finals opponents for Alex Ovechkin and the Caps, who finished off the Canadiens and are currently taking a break.
Or you can rewatch the rendering of the new Commanders football stadium on the RFK site. That goes down smooth, too.
Refresh this page and stick with us for updates as the night progresses and the weather changes in Cincinnati, Nationals fans.