A Storm Hits When the Cubs Need Wins
The Chicago Cubs are one win away from clinching a spot in the postseason. They just need to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks or win their next game to lock it in. But a massive weather system known as a nor’easter is moving toward New England. This storm could drench Boston right when the team needs to play. If the weather gets bad, the league might have to cancel games. That would be a nightmare for the Cubs and their playoff hopes.
According to Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, the forecast for Boston looks terrible for the upcoming weekend series. The Red Sox have already made the playoffs, so they are just fighting for better seeding. The Cubs, however, are still fighting for their lives. Should the Cubs fail to handle their duties this week, the concluding Boston series turns into the year’s most crucial contest. But Mother Nature might stop them from playing.
The Messy Makeup Game Scenario
If the games get washed out, Major League Baseball faces a tough choice. They can cancel Saturday and Sunday games if the playoff spots are already decided. This happens every few years when the games do not matter. But if the Cubs are still in the hunt, the league must make up those games. That means playing on Monday. Maybe even a doubleheader.
This situation creates a huge problem for travel. The Cubs would have to play a makeup game on Monday night in Boston. Then they would have to travel that same night. The very next day, they would play Game 1 of their Wild Card Series. This is exactly what happened to the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets in 2024. A doubleheader in Atlanta was mandated by Hurricane Helene on the Monday following the season’s final day. The Mets had to travel from New York to Atlanta, then to Milwaukee, and back to Atlanta again.
Why the Schedule Matters So Much
The rules for ties have changed, which makes every game even more critical. There are no more Game 163 tiebreaker games anymore. All ties are settled mathematically based on head-to-head records. This means a team that wins the season series against a rival has a big advantage. If the Cubs lose games due to rain, they lose ground they cannot get back.
By Tuesday, the Red Sox might already be secured as the second wild-card team. But the weekend series is much more likely to matter for the National League wild-card race. A chaotic scenario could arise for the league if these games carry significance. The Cubs might be forced to play a grueling doubleheader and then fly straight into a playoff game. That is a recipe for fatigue and mistakes.
