The Miami Marlins continued to take batting practice Thursday after Game 2 of their National League wild-card series was postponed, and the Chicago Cubs were able to devote their extra time to studying opposing pitcher Sixto Sanchez and his teammates.
However, the wet weather that was forecast didn’t arrive until much later in the afternoon, causing a firestorm on social media as many believed that at least six innings could have been completed without a delay.
“The weather is the weather,” said Cubs manager David Ross, who was in meetings and was unaware that rain didn’t arrive for hours. “I just listen to my bosses and Major League Baseball when it comes to that stuff.
“I was definitely glad they were erring on the side of caution.”
Ross pointed to Game 2 of the American League wild-card series between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, where rain Wednesday returned following a delayed start to the game and caused sloppy conditions.
“And then knowing how important (conditions are) with (Cubs ace) Yu Darvish starting, I was obviously in favor of being cautious,” Ross said.
The game was postponed about 45 minutes before Darvish usually starts his warm-up pitches, and he merely played catch in the bullpen after the game was postponed.
Ross stayed inside until 6 p.m. and then noticed weather all over the Wrigley concourse. But he had no idea of the firestorm on Twitter.
“I’m glad that I don’t make that decision,” he admitted.
However, Ross stressed that weather is “the last thing we want in a postseason game that affects the outcome of a championship is a long delay (that puts) players’ health at risk.”
“And now’s the time we’re going to push players a little bit more,” Ross said. “Those kinds of decisions are hard decisions for long-term health and safety of players. And the fact that Major League Baseball was responsible enough and cautious enough to respect the players and their health and the integrity of this game, I think speaks volumes to how important the postseason is to everybody.
“I’m not a weatherman, but there’s a lot more that goes into that, just like we know it’s going to rain, or we think it’s going to rain and what those windows and consequences look like.”
