Rare Rainout Threat Looms for Giants-Dodgers Opener at Oracle Park

Only one game has been rained out at the Giants' home stadium in the last 20 years.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:08pm by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the weather and the challenges of rescheduling a potential rainout.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Giants and Dodgers, with the threat of a rare rainout adding an extra layer of complexity to this early-season showdown.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco Giants' first home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers this season is at risk of a rare rainout due to an uncommon spring storm expected to hit the Bay Area on Monday and Tuesday. Oracle Park has seen just six rainouts since the Giants moved downtown in 2000, with only one in the last 20 years.

Why it matters

Rescheduling a rainout between the Giants and Dodgers could be extremely challenging due to the reduced number of division games and restrictions in the MLB collective bargaining agreement on when makeup games can be played. This would be a highly anticipated early-season matchup between the longtime NL West rivals.

The details

National Weather Service meteorologist Brayden Murdock said 'off and on showers and storms' are expected to arrive in the Bay Area on Monday and last through Tuesday, when the Giants and Dodgers are scheduled to start a three-game series. There's a chance of thunderstorms and urban flooding, which should start to dissipate on Wednesday afternoon.

  • The Giants and Dodgers are scheduled to start a three-game series on Monday, April 21, 2026.
  • The last rainout at Oracle Park was on April 6, 2018, also against the Dodgers.

The players

Brayden Murdock

A National Weather Service meteorologist who provided the forecast for the upcoming storm in the Bay Area.

Pablo Sandoval

A Giants fan favorite who made his first-ever pitching appearance during a doubleheader that included a makeup game from a previous rainout against the Dodgers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'off and on showers and storms' are expected to arrive in the Bay Area on Monday and last through Tuesday”

— Brayden Murdock, National Weather Service meteorologist

What’s next

If a game does get rained out, the best solution might be to make it up after Thursday's scheduled 12:45 p.m. game, turning the day into a split doubleheader. The Dodgers have a home game against the Cubs on Friday, so the flight would be rather short, while the Giants also remain home to face the Marlins.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of rescheduling rainouts in MLB's modern schedule, with fewer division games and strict rules around makeup dates. It also shows how even a rare weather event in the Bay Area can disrupt highly anticipated matchups between longtime rivals like the Giants and Dodgers.