CLEVELAND -- As we head toward scheduled first pitch Game 2 of the World Series between the Cubs and Indians at Progressive Field, the weather in Cleveland is less than ideal. It rained earlier in the day, but at this writing the rain has stopped and the gates have opened ...

That doesn't look so bad, but the problem is that more rain is in the forecast for Wednesday night.

Via CBS Cleveland, here is the hourly forecast of temperatures and chances of precipitation leading up to the bumped-up start time of 7:08 p.m. ET ...

5 p.m.: 45 degrees, 30 percent chance of precipitation
6 p.m.: 45, 0 percent
7 p.m.: 44, 40 percent
8 p.m.: 47, 50 percent
9 p.m.: 47, 50 percent
10 p.m.: 47, 60 percent
11 p.m.: 48, 60 percent
12 a.m.: 48, 50 percent

As you can see, there's a high chance of rain in the late innings of Game 2. However, it's looking like it'll be clear for game time. The question is whether there will be enough of a rain-less window for the game to be completed. On that point, MLB has a plan ...

Previous updates below ...

Update (1:25 p.m. ET): It has started raining in Cleveland. Heavier than drizzle but not quite a downpour yet. Here is what the ballpark looks like from behind home plate and beyond the center field gates at the moment:

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It's raining and the tarp is on the field at Progressive Field. CBS Sports
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The sky over Progressive Field looks ominous. CBS Sports

And here's the video view from inside Progressive Field ...

Ideally, MLB wants to play a continuous nine-inning game. They'd like to avoid suspending the game if at all possible. The league may opt against risking a lengthy delay and postpone Game 2 until Thursday, a scheduled off-day for travel.

For now, the start time for Game 2 remains 7 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for updates.

Update (3:37 p.m. ET): The tarp has been removed and the field is being prepared for batting practice. Here's proof:

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The tarp has been removed at Progressive Field. CBSSports.com

As it stands, it appears there is a window to play from 7 p.m. ET until approximately 11 p.m. ET. It looks as though much of Game 2 will be played through a steady light rain before the heavy stuff comes later tonight.

MLB has not yet announced a change to the start time or anything. First pitch remains scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Update (6:29 p.m. ET): Looks like we''ll be good to go when 7 p.m rolls around, as the tarp is off the field and there's no rain in sight:


First pitch is now about a half hour away. We'll see if the weather interferes throughout the night. The indication is, however, that the game will play through the rain -- provided, of course, things don't get biblical out there.