I noticed this earlier in the week, when the Washington Nationals were playing the St. Louis Cardinals, but apparently it just rains all the time in D.C. and I guess it makes sense because it’s literally on a damn swamp. Anyway, on Friday the Cubs got screwed big time by MLB.
The game started in a rain delay, almost 90 minutes long, and then first pitch came. Joe Ross made the start for the Nationals, his first time since having Tommy John surgery. Jon Lester started for the Cubs, who began the night with a 4.5 game lead in the division over the Milwaukee Brewers. Obviously a big game for the Cubs and yet less than 30 minutes later the game was stopped with two outs in the top of the second inning because it just kept raining.
Eventually the game was called three hours later and a double header was scheduled for Saturday.
It was MLB’s decision to begin the game in the first place although it was pretty damn clear that the rain wasn’t going anywhere until after 11 p.m. in D.C. So, the Cubs were left burning Lester, but I guess the silver lining is that because he only pitched one inning he’ll be fine to start Monday against the Brewers at home.
The Cubs are nearing the end of playing 23 games in 23 days and it was pretty evident to everyone that Friday’s game should not have ever started. All MLB did was waste both team’s time and the fans time too and make the Cubs lose a Lester start.
Now, the Cubs have to start Jaime Garcia in Game 1 of the double header and will probably be forced to use Tyler Chatwood right in the middle of a division race all because MLB forced the issue and started the game during a downpour on Friday.
Oh and guess what, it’s raining again today.
Raining pretty hard here. Looks like one group of showers has to move through. Wonder if it'll happen in time to start in 40 minutes, though…
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 8, 2018
This is going to be a shit show.
