{"id":858323,"date":"2026-09-23T23:46:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T23:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/858323\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T23:46:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T23:46:51","slug":"counsell-says-cubs-at-disadvantage-after-schedule-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/858323\/","title":{"rendered":"Counsell says Cubs at disadvantage after schedule change"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO — Cubs<\/a> manager Craig Counsell was quick to point out the disadvantages his team faces this weekend after the league moved Sunday’s contest against the Boston Red Sox<\/a> to Friday due to a poor weather forecast. It means the two teams will play a doubleheader that night then conclude their regular seasons Saturday.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Under normal circumstances, a rainout would force a doubleheader the next day, actually giving teams an extra day of rest for the starter of the postponed game. In this case, the Cubs will have to move Saturday’s starter to Friday, leaving Game 162 in flux for them on the mound — assuming weather doesn’t cause havoc to Friday or Saturday’s game in the first place.<\/p>\n

It’s likely lefty starter Shota Imanaga<\/a> will pitch on short rest if Saturday’s game is played as scheduled.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

The league discussed all options for the series as neither team wants to play Monday while moving it altogether to another city is a last resort. Both teams are likely to be in the postseason which starts Tuesday. Boston has already clinched a spot while the Cubs’ magic number is one entering their contest against the Miami Marlins<\/a> on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n

But seeding — and home field advantage — is still to be determined thus making the weekend series an important one. Adding some annoyance for Chicago is the fact that their season could be done while their closest competitors would have two more games to play, and league rules don’t allow for an extra rostered player for September doubleheaders, further putting a burden on their pitching staff.<\/p>\n

“The decision is made always on a balance of everybody’s interest,” Counsell stated. “And you get shortchanged in some … or not have the optimal solution.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Counsell is hopeful to have third baseman Alex Bregman<\/a> in a game against his former team this weekend. Bregman spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday since getting hit in the left cheek by a foul ball while on-deck Sunday.<\/p>\n

“It felt like I got hit by a baseball bat to the face,” Bregman said. “The left side of my face has been numb. As soon as the swelling goes down, I’m sure I’ll feel the breaks a little bit more.”<\/p>\n

Bregman’s left eye is blood red while his cheek is still swollen but getting better. He said he can see fine and will continue to work his way back one “step at a time.”<\/p>\n

“There’s a lot of fluid in my face over there,” he explained. “If I move, the fluid moves. So if I’m bouncing up and down, my face feels like it’s bouncing up and down.”<\/p>\n

Bregman is likely to return as a DH but will need to move around and run the bases before being cleared. He’s not sure when that will be but is confident he’ll be ready for the postseason.<\/p>\n

“I think I’m excited how he feels and he’s excited, but he still needs to feel some things and he hasn’t run around yet,” Counsell said. “And I think he’s got to do that.”<\/p>\n

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