Pirates vs. Phillies Rain Delay, May 16: Details, Weather Updates, Start Time

UPDATE: The game began again at 8:30 PM. Go Bucs!

Friday night's Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies "Rivalry Weekend" showdown will begin with a rain delay. And it's the most aggravating kind of rain delay, too: the variety where rain isn't even falling from the skies.

Just about at the scheduled start time, the Phillies grounds crew emerged from the sidelines and trudged towards the center of the diamond, dragging the tarp in their path. And, this is crazy - Philadelphia fans booed. How do you like that? Very out of character.

Either there's a significant stormfront coming, or it's merely God weeping at the solemn end of the "P00P" score graphic signifying this rivalry.

Any way you slice it, don't expect an on-time first pitch here.

Pirates vs. Phillies Rain Delay, 5/16: When is the game supposed to start?

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is currently in effect for Philadelphia proper, and though the rest of the weekend looks clean and clear, there's a possibility this one gets a little dicey. Maybe that's why the Pirates didn't activate Spencer Horwitz after all. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Thunderstorms seem likely around 7:30, but will clear between 8:00 and 9:00 PM. This game should get underway after a moderate, hour-plus delay. They tried to be cheeky with the 6:45 PM start time, but couldn't outrun Mother Nature.

Once the game ends, Pirates fans will be in attendance for the first game of the season with utility man Nick Solak on the active roster; Ji Hwan Bae was once again demoted to make room for the veteran, who was hitting .393 with six homers down at Indianapolis. Horwitz, after a surgical procedure on his wrist this spring, is with the team as well, but won't be activated until later in the weekend. That roster move, which could involve either Alexander Canario or Tommy Pham, might be a bit more complex.

The starting pitchers in this one, whenever it does get underway, will be a red-hot Andrew Heaney (2-3, 3.15 ERA) vs. Ranger Suárez, the Phillies' soft-tossing lefty who's struggling after returning from injury (1-0, 5.91). It's quite possible the Phillies will be in the market for pitching at this year's deadline, and they can get a closer look at Heaney whenever the rain stops.

Refresh this article for further updates on the Pirates and Phillies' rain delay.