Weather forces back- to- back postponements
The last time the Cubs had back- to- back games postponed, as they did Sunday and Monday atWrigley Field, it was because of a hurricane in Houston.
That was 2008, when the Astros and Cubs eventually played atMiller Park in Milwaukee — and Carlos Zambrano threw a no- hitter.
Before that, it took a hurricane in Florida in 2004.
That’s how historically bad the weather has been for the Cubs, whose game Monday against the Cardinals was postponed by subfreezing temperatures on a day it snowed throughout the region.
That game has been rescheduled as part of a day- night doubleheader July 21, with ticketsMonday good for use in the 12: 05 p. m. half of that twin bill.
The game Sunday against the Braves was postponed for similar reasons — after the teams played an ugly game in wintry conditions Saturday— and rescheduled forMay 14.
The Cubs already have had four postponements less than three weeks into the season, including three during this scheduled ninegame homestand.
There were two obvious benefits — beyond avoiding frostbite — to the latest postponement:
First, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has been dealing with lower- back stiffness, got another day before being activated from the disabled list. The Cubs planned to do that Monday, when Rizzo was eligible to return, but they also planned to consider the move, given the forecast.
Second, manager Joe Maddon, who railed at the decision to play Saturday, should be happy.
‘‘ There’s so many games to stuff into the regular season, and I get it, and there’s always concerns about making things up based on travel, and I get it,’’ he said Sunday. ‘‘ However, that doesn’tmean you should play a game that’s unplayable.’’
The Cubs plan to keep their starting pitching in line, with Tyler Chatwood pitching Tuesday and Jon Lester goingWednesday.
The Cardinals slightly altered their pitching for the rest of the series, pushing Adam Wainwright back from Monday to Tuesday but leaving Luke Weaver in his scheduled slot Wednesday. Michael Wacha, who was scheduled to pitch Tuesday, was pushed out of the series.