Fans that attend the Cleveland Guardians' home opener on April 8 at Progressive Field will be treated to something historic.

At 3:13 p.m. ET, Cleveland will experience a total solar eclipse -- a once-in-generations event -- for the first time since 1806.

The alignment of sun, Earth and moon will plunge the city into darkness, and as long as the Northeast Ohio weather cooperates, people will view a spectacle that lasts just under four minutes but occurs only three times in a 638-year span above the city.

The Guardians have started their home openers in recent years with a 4:10 p.m. first pitch. This year, though, that falls in the partial-eclipse window when fans might still be distracted by the overhead phenomenon.

The team has spent months weighing whether to embrace the eclipse and open the ballpark early to allow fans to watch it together -- an opening act on Opening Day -- or wait until it's over and play a night game.

The Guardians, who start on an 11-game trip, are expected to announce their decision on the opener in coming days.