This might still cost the Chicago Cubs, but it’s a lot better than forcing them to play a doubleheader the day before their Wild Card series, which was apparently on the table just yesterday. Luckily, MLB has come to its senses and made changes to the weekend series between the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox.
A storm will hit the Boston area hard this weekend, and as of Tuesday, it appeared as though MLB was going to let the Cubs hang out to dry. Although the Red Sox are hosting, they’re essentially locked into the second Wild Card seed in the American League. However, the Cubs are currently in a three-way tie for home-field advantage in the National League Wild Card series with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, so the final series of the regular season will likely determine who hosts alongside the Atlanta Braves to begin the playoffs.
Sunday’s forecast leaves little chance that the Cubs and Red Sox can play, so they’ll play a doubleheader on Friday, and Saturday night’s game could also be moved up to avoid the inclement weather. The Red Sox officially announced the schedule change on Wednesday.
Still, this schedule isn’t exactly the best-case scenario for the Cubs. Yes, it is 100% better than playing on Monday or even a doubleheader on Monday, but moving the doubleheader to the start of the series instead of Saturday will create pitching trouble for Craig Counsell and the Cubs.
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Right now, Shōta Imanaga is scheduled to pitch the final regular-season game, and he’ll be doing it on short rest after throwing 91 pitches in five innings on Tuesday. Normally, teams can carry an extra pitcher, or a “27th man,” when playing a doubleheader, but because rosters have already expanded in September, the Cubs will not be allowed to call up an extra arm for Friday.
If MLB had prioritized competitive fairness, it could have moved the series away from Boston so the three games would be played on a normal schedule. For example, the Tampa Bay Rays end their season on the road, leaving their indoor stadium open for a potential series between the Cubs and Red Sox. But no, instead, the Cubs will play a moved-up doubleheader.
It’s not all bad news. If the Cubs take care of business in the next two games against the Miami Marlins, then they’ll be closer to clinching home-field advantage heading into Boston. The Red Sox won’t have anything to play for, which means their top pitchers will be rested. Finally, the Cubs will get an extra day off if they get out of Boston Saturday night, leaving Sunday free before Monday’s off day.
Bottom line, the Cubs, as they have all season, will have to overcome some adversity until the very end.
UPDATE
OK, maybe there will be a venue change after all, but not until game 162?
Only fitting that this wild 2026 season will have chaos until the very end.
