Here’s the kicker: you live in Boston, but the game might be in Seattle. That means a 7:10 PM East Coast start is actually a 4:10 PM game on the West Coast, which is basically lunchtime for Mariners fans. Meanwhile, if you’re in London watching on a dodgy stream? Pray to the baseball gods and set your alarm for 3 AM. You’ll thank me later.
Also, spring training is a total wild card. Those games start at random times like 1:05 PM or 3:10 PM, just to mess with your lunch break. I once saw a game start at 12:35 PM on a Tuesday. Who does that? (Answer: The Red Sox, because they hate your productivity.)
The Surprising Fact That Will Make You a Hero
Did you know that the actual “official” start time is often a lie? Teams list 7:10 PM, but the first pitch rarely happens before 7:13 PM due to TV commercials and the national anthem sung by a slightly off-key local. That’s a three-minute grace period you can use to grab another beer. But don’t push it—past 7:15 PM, you’re missing Rafael Devers swinging like a lumberjack with a grudge.
And here’s a truly bizarre fact for your next bar bet: The Red Sox once started a game at 10:00 AM in 2026—yes, ten in the morning—for a split-squad doubleheader against the Twins. Fans showed up in pajamas and demanded hot dogs for breakfast. The MLB is a beautiful, ridiculous mess.
