The series finale between the Dodgers and Reds has an odd start time, beginning at 5:40 p.m., an hour and a half before the standard night-game time at Dodger Stadium.

Day games during the week in Los Angeles have waned over the years. This season there were only four such games, starting at either 12:10 p.m. or 1:10 p.m. on getaway day. The finale against the Reds starts earlier than normal, but not too much earlier. The explanation can be found in the collective bargaining agreement.

This happened earlier this year, when the Braves were in town on the first homestand of the season. On April 2, the start time was even more specific at 5:38 p.m., which was the latest allowable by the CBA. The relevant passage comes from Article V(C)(8):

The latest possible start time for getaway games o

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