Arizona Heat Is Coming Changing Cactus League Schedules

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Thermometers are about to burst in the Valley of the Sun. Next weekend the temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees, estimated at from 105 degrees to 110 degrees. 

In the 15 years that fullofschatz reported from the desert it has never been this hot this early. The Covid year when we left in May the temperature was brutal but last spring was rather cold.

We have never seen a rattlesnake or scorpion in Goodyear but this season snakes, a cold blooded animal, are already active. Manager Terry Francona showed off a picture from his home in Tucson, 112 south of Phoenix.

The warmer than normal temperature this spring is bringing the reptiles out of hybernation.

They were two male snakes fighting over a female near his driveway last week. His neighbor took video's and sent it to the Reds manager.

"I'm selling my house. Do any of you guys want to buy a house in Tucson," Francona asked, semi joking. "I can't stand em. I can't even handle worms."

As for the spring training schedule, the Reds were slated to face the Chicago Cubs at 1:05 pm MT (4:05 ET) on Friday the 20th of March. That game was moved by Cubs management this morning siting extreme heat conditions. The Reds later followed suit and pushed back an afternoon game against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday March 21 in Goodyear to a 6:05 MT (9:05 ET) for the same reason.

So far the games preceding Friday, the Sunday game March 15 against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria will still start at 1:05 MT and the Monday game March 16 will start at 1:10 MT.

The Reds host the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday March 17, St. Patrick's Day which has become a tradition was already planned for a 6:05 MT start. 

The Reds have another split squad day on Wednesday March 18 with the Colorado Rockies at Goodyear at 1:05 MT and the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe at 1:10 MT. 

The Reds are off on March 19 but their top prospects are slated to face the Giants top prospects in Scottsdale a 1:05 in the Spring Breakout Game.