Follow Game 4 of the World Series from rainy St. Louis live with baseball reporter Jim Masilak HERE beginning at 6:45 p.m. And while you’re at it, click on Jim’s name below to send him your questions, thoughts and comments as the Cardinals try to extend their 2-1 series lead.

9:25 p.m. update: It was just announced that the game has been canceled due to rain. We’ll see you back here tomorow night at 6:45 p.m. for Game 4. Weather permitting, of course. And there’s little hope right now that it will be permitted.

8:55 p.m. update: Still no word on when play might start. Nor, however, is there any word on the possibility of a postponement. With rain scheduled in St. Louis through Friday at 6 p.m.–I kid you not, The Weather Channel calls for rain every hour here from now until then–MLB officials are no doubt desperate to get this one in somehow.

In the meantime, it’s supposedly nice in clear in Detroit. With sunny skies and temps in the 60s for St. Louis on Saturday and Sunday, and snow showers predicted for Detroit on the same days, one can come to just one conclusion. This whole thing is the fault of Trevor Hoffman, whose choke job in the All-Star Game gave the American League home-field advantage in the World Series.

8:40 p.m. update: There’s an unconfirmed rumor swirling that play could begin at 9:15. Not sure if there’s anything to it–the mist is continuing unabated–but I’m checking…

8:25 p.m. update: Those fans still waiting in their seats erupt in cheers as the grounds crew comes out and starts messing with the tarp…Alas, it seems they’re simply checking underneath and removing air pockets before again disappearing underneath the stands.

8:15 p.m. update: No change here in St. Louis, where a steady mist continues to fall and baseball is apparently no closer to being played. We were told the game would be delayed until at least 8:03 p.m. but, even though we’re now passed that point, no further word has been forthcoming from Major League Baseball. They seem to be stubbornly holding onto hope that this game can be played, but pessimism in with more rain pushing toward the area from the southwest.

7:50 p.m. update: Still no word on an official starting time. The tarp remains on the field, the fans are waiting patiently and a light mist continues to fall on Busch Stadium. Hopefully we’ll get going sooner rather than later. I’ve got a deadline to consider.

7:30 p.m. update: Unfortunately, there is no update. There is a Hound of the Baskervilles feel to the weather outside, with clouds/fog/mist casting a pall over the field. That said, we should have baseball at some point tonight.

7:15 p.m. update: In case you haven’t heard, this World Series isn’t going to make Fox very happy. The Cardinals’ 5-0 win over the Tigers on Tuesday was the lowest-rated Game 3 in series history. The three-game average is also the lowest ever, according to this story. Well, at least Fox still has Prison Break.

7 p.m. update: It has just been announced that the starting time for tonight’s game has been delayed by at least half an hour. As of right now, that means we’re looking at about an 8 p.m. CT first pitch.

In the meantime, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said earlier that, with right-hander Jeremy Bonderman pitching for Detroit, left-handed hitting outfielder Chris Duncan will get his first start of the World Series. He’ll bat second and play in right field. That means regular rightfielder Juan Encarnacion will have to settle for a spot on the bench for the second straight night. I’m sure Juan is excited about that prospect.

Rainy-day games: Greetings from mist-soaked St. Louis, where it’s been raining all day. While there haven’t been any downpours or anything of the like, it was just announced over the Busch Stadium PA that no official start time has been determined. The tarp is still on the field.