Heavy rains in Washington DC postponed Thursday’s opening game of the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals series at Nationals Park on Thu Jun 10, 2021 (photo courtesy of KGO ABC 7 Sports San Francisco)

By Jessica Kwong

The series opener between the San Francisco Giants and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Thursday night was postponed due to inclement weather, specifically heavy rain.

“It will be made up as part of a split doubleheader this Saturday, June 12th,” the Giants and Nationals said in tweeted statements.

The first game that day is scheduled to begin at 11:05 a.m. and the second game is slated to follow at 4:15 p.m. Both will be seven-inning regulation games. Weather in Washington, DC, on Thursday was forecast as unpredictable, but wound up in a downpour.

Giants right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (5-2, 3.51 ERA), who was set to start on Thursday, will now start on Friday. Right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman will start on one of the two games on Saturday. The pitcher for the other game in the doubleheader has not been announced. Right-hander Johnny Cueto was originally planned for Saturday, but it is unclear if he will still take the mound with the changes.

Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer (5-4, 2.22 ERA), who was ready to start on Thursday, will also open on Friday. Right-hander Joe Ross was already scheduled to start for Washington on Saturday and will pitch one of the games. The other pitcher for the Nationals that day has not been announced.

Fans who had tickets for Thursday’s game will be able to use them for the early game on Saturday. Those who are unable to attend are offered the chance to get a refund or trade for a later date at the box office.

San Francisco is 1-1 in one doubleheader this season. The four-game series is scheduled to wrap up on Sunday with first pitch at 10:05 a.m. The Giants will then head home to Oracle Park to host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a four-game series.