Phillies' home season opener against Atlanta Braves rained out. Now what?

This story has been updated to refect the rain delay decision.

The highly anticipated home opener of the 2024 Philadelphia Phillies' season — a likely pitching duel between Atlanta Braves' staff ace Spencer Strider vs. Phillies No. 1 starter and workhorse Zack Wheeler — has been postponed due to rain and will be played on Friday, the Phillies announced Wednesday afternoon..

"Phillies Opening Day presented by Nemours Children’s Health versus the Atlanta Braves has been postponed and rescheduled to Friday, March 29, at 3:05 p.m. All gates will open at 12:35 p.m," read a portion of Major League Baseball's postponement announcement on the Phillies' website. "A Phillies Scarf, courtesy of Nemours Children’s Health, will be given away to all fans."

In the same statement, Phillies executives explained what will happen next.

"Due to the anticipated rain on Thursday, we have elected to move our home opener with the Braves to Friday,” said Phillies Executive Vice President David Buck. "This decision was made after consultation with Major League Baseball and various weather services. The open date on Friday gives us the ability to reschedule the game."

Previously, the National Weather Service warned that rainy conditions on Thursday could impact the season opener.

"A system is coming up through the south, bringing lots of clouds, making rain likely Wednesday night through Thursday," said Patrick O'Hara, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "There will be periods of steady rain throughout the day on Thursday."

Another addition to the Harper family: Phillies Bryce Harper, wife expecting third baby. See how they announced the news

Your 2024 Phillies season primer: Phillies 2024 season preview: Lineup, rotation and new way Bryce Harper can lead Series run

Weather clears up for remainder of Phillies-Braves series

O'Hara said the weather should clear up after the storm passes Thursday.

"The storm starts to clear out during the first part of Friday, and it will be better by Friday afternoon, with temperatures up near the mid-50s," he said. "Saturday also looks dry, with temperatures closer to 60 degrees."

The postponement may alter the starting pitching rotation for both teams.

For game 2 of the Braves-Phillies season-opening series, Atlanta was scheduled to send lefty Max Fried to the mound, against the Phillies' No. 2, Aaron Nola.

The Braves-Phillies series wraps up on Sunday, with the first pitch at 1:35 p.m. If all stays on schedule, this lefty-lefty matchup features the Braves' Chris Sale opposing the Phillies' Ranger Suárez.

Sunday should be a nice day for spring baseball, as it will be sunny with temperatures nearing 60 degrees.

Philadelphia Phillies opening-day tickets sold out; available on secondary market

According to the Phillies website, opening day is sold out. However, if you want to go, resale websites like SeatGeek and StubHub have tickets available. Ticket prices on these sites are set by the seller.

On StubHub, a single ticket is ranging from $125 in Section 301, Row 1 to $649 for tickets in Section 136, Row 7.

2024 Phillies' home opener a hot ticket: Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day tickets are sold out. How to still get them

On SeatGeek, a single ticket is ranging from $161 in Terrace Deck 416, Row 17 to $5,775 for Section 103, Row 12.

What is the Phillies' rain delay, postponement policy?

The Phillies have laid out its policies for postponements and rain delays on its website.

"Once a game has started, the Umpire-in-Chief determines if a game should be suspended, when it can be resumed or if it should be terminated because of bad weather or unfit playing conditions," read a portion of the policy. "The Official Playing Rules provide that when a game has been temporarily suspended, umpires must wait at least 30 minutes before calling the game.

"On days when inclement weather is in the forecast, tune to 94.1 WIP or check back with phillies.com for updates on the game status."

If Thursday's game is rained out, fans won't be able to get a refund, but will be able to exchange the tickets for a future game.

"When the canceled game is rescheduled to an open date or as part of a split (day-night) doubleheader, this rain check (original ticket) will be valid for entry to the rescheduled game only," read a portion of the rainout policy. "If the canceled game is either not rescheduled or is rescheduled with an existing game to create a doubleheader, the holder of this rain check (original ticket) is to receive an available ticket of equal or lesser value to a later game, upon presentation hereof, with seat coupon attached, to The Phillies by the 60th day of next year's baseball season.

"Otherwise this rain check is void and its value will remain in the property of The Phillies."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Phillies' home opener against Atlanta Braves postponed by rain