Counsell says Cubs at disadvantage after schedule change - ESPN

CHICAGO — Cubs manager Craig Counsell was quick to point out the disadvantages his team faces this weekend after the league moved Sunday's game against the Red Sox to Friday with a nor'easter expected to bring heavy rain and high winds to the Boston area.

The teams now are scheduled to play a split doubleheader Friday at Fenway Park before concluding their regular seasons Saturday.

«They never move games up and especially within a five-day window of a starting rotation,» Counsell said Wednesday. «So we can't have somebody ready to pitch on Saturday. They just moved games up on us. I understand there's extenuating circumstances, but you just don't see that happening.»

Under normal circumstances, a rainout oftentimes leads to a doubleheader the next day, giving starters of the postponed game an extra day of rest. In this case, the Cubs will have to move Saturday's starter to Friday, leaving who pitches in Game 162 in flux — assuming weather doesn't affect the rescheduled games.

It's likely left-hander Shota Imanaga will pitch on short rest if Saturday's game is played as scheduled.

«What I know is happening is we're going to play three games,» Counsell said. «So if weather is an issue, then yeah, we're going to have to figure out a place to play a third game.»

The league has discussed all options for the series, including moving it to another city as a last resort. With the postseason starting Tuesday, neither wants to play Monday. Boston has already clinched a spot; the Cubs' magic number remained at one after Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins and Arizona's win over Colorado. Chicago watched starter Kevin Gausman exit that game in the sixth inning after his left (non-pitching) shoulder «grabbed on him a little