Chicago Cubs hobbled by MLB weather-related schedule change

The Chicago Cubs are not exactly easing their way into the postseason. As a matter of fact, clinching this playoff berth has been a little like pulling teeth.

More News: Chicago Cubs hold breath after apparent Kevin Gausman injury

They’ve failed twice at clinching a playoff spot with their magic number down to “1.” Both were heartbreaking losses to the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Over their last 15 games, they are 6-9 and looking extremely vulnerable in key areas, such as the bullpen and the ability to produce with runners in scoring position.

They are definitely not heading into the playoffs with anything resembling positive momentum.

And now an added complication has been tossed into the mix for the beleaguered Cubs.

MLB recently announced that in an effort to deal proactively with a stormy forecast in what’s shaping up to be a crucial three-game series in Boston, the Cubs and Red Sox will play a doubleheader on Friday to squeeze in an extra game before the rain.

A doubleheader sprung on the Cubs

More News: Chicago Cubs ace Justin Steele “an option” for failing bullpen

The decision—which is horribly abrupt for such an important series—places Chicago in all kinds of potential difficulty. As things stand right now, the Cubs are one game behind the San Diego Padres for the top seed in the National League Wild Card standings and tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second spot. The series in Boston will determine the team’s hosting status—if the Cubs ever do actually clinch their playoff spot.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell was not at all happy with MLB’s decision to spring a doubleheader on his team.

“They never move games up and especially within a five-day window of a starting rotation,” Counsell told reporters on Wednesday. “So we can’t have somebody ready to pitch on Saturday. They just moved games up on us. I understand there’s extenuating circumstances, but you just don’t see that happening.”

“What I know is happening is we’re going to play three games,” Counsell added. “So if weather is an issue, then yeah, we’re going to have to figure out a place to play a third game.”

Forced to pitch on short rest

And some key postseason arms are going to have pitch on short rest, either in Boston or in the opening Wild Card series. Shota Imanaga, for example, will pitch Saturday on short rest and Clay Holmes, slated to start one of Friday’s doubleheader games, will probably find himself excluded from the possibility of pitching Tuesday’s Wild Card opener.

The players themselves, though, don’t seem all that stressed over having yet another hurdle placed in front of them after a season full of twists and unfortunate turns.

“Really and truly, this one couldn’t be more out of our control,” Swanson told media. “There’s just so much uncertainty, but there’s kind of some peace in that, knowing that at the end of the day, our job is to show up and put our best foot forward. We have a lot of pros in here who are capable of handling anything thrown their way. If you look at this season, you kind of expect nothing less at this point…[but] this group is tough and built for it.”

The post Chicago Cubs hobbled by MLB weather-related schedule change appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-hobbled-by-mlb-weather-related-schedule-change/