The Rays have two more series in Boston — May 30 to June 1 and Sept 23-25 — but the Red Sox preferred to make the game up immediately, according to manager John Farrell.

The first game will start at 1:05 p.m. with the regularly scheduled game still at 7:10 p.m. Both games will be on NESN.

The Red Sox’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday at Fenway Park was postponed because of rain and rescheduled as part of a day/night doubleheader on Thursday.

Playing a doubleheader on Saturday, May 31, or Sunday, June 1, would have put the Red Sox in the position of playing 37 games in as many days.


“Logistically they’re here and we’ve got the ability to play two [Thursday] based on the forecast,” Farrell said. “That’s where we’re at.”

The teams have a mutual day off on Sept. 22, but the Red Sox passed on that idea.

The Sox will change their pitching plans slightly. Righthander Jake Peavy will start the first game with lefthander Felix Doubront, Wednesday’s scheduled starter, going in the nightcap.

Peavy (1-0, 2.87) offers a better chance of going deeper in the game than Doubront (1-3, 6.00).

“Not to say there’s always a guarantee, but that’s what you go by,” Farrell said. “Knowing you have a guy who can keep a bullpen from getting overexposed early and look to have guys fresh for Game 2.”

The Rays will start righthander Chris Archer (2-1, 4.11) and lefthander Cesar Ramos (1-1, 3.38).

The Dustin Pedroia bobbleheads that were to be given away on Wednesday will be handed out on Thursday.

The Red Sox and Rays can add an extra player for the doubleheader, but only for the second game.

The extra player wasn’t available for doubleheaders scheduled a day in advance last season because the visiting team often faced logistical challenges calling a player up from the minors.


But the rule was amended this season to allow for an addition to the roster for the second game.

Farrell indicated the Sox would add a pitcher.