MLB has made one significant step regarding the serious weather expected to impact this weekend’s Cubs-Red Sox series in Boston. But the complications and recriminations surrounding the situation are far from over.
The league, in consultation with the two clubs, shifted Sunday’s scheduled game at Fenway Park to the front end of a split doubleheader set for Friday. The nightcap that day will also now start at 6:05 p.m. ET. The moves were made to work around a nor’easter projected to hit New England this weekend with heavy rainfall, high winds, and potential flooding.
There are sizable postseason implications around the series, which closes out the regular season for both teams. The Cubs currently hold the second National League Wild Card slot and the No. 5 playoff seed. Chicago, however, is only one game back of the Padres for the No. 4 slot that would bring home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, hold the No. 5 seed in the American League playoffs, and are likely headed toward a Wild Card series next week against the rival Yankees.
While MLB is attempting to be proactive, and avoid Monday games that would eliminate off days for both clubs, Saturday’s weather forecast still threatens the series finale, and it remains quite possible the start time for that game will also be moved.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell is grumbling about what the schedule changes are already doing to his pitching rotation. As of now, the club’s options for Saturday include left-hander Shota Imanaga throwing on short rest, or shifting to a bullpen game.
“We can’t have somebody ready to pitch on Saturday,” Counsell said. “They just moved games up on us. I understand there’s extenuating circumstances, but you don’t see that happening.”
A more drastic solution would have been to move part or all of the Cubs-Red Sox series to a neutral location, and such a step is still on the table, particularly for the Saturday game. MLB, however, is reluctant to do that and has typically reserved that step for even more serious situations such as hurricanes and extreme snowfall.
“The decision is made always on a balance of everybody’s interests,” Counsell said. “And you get shortchanged in some…or not have the optimal solution.”
