Hurricane Ike: Cubs vs. Houston in Milwaukee for 2 games

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Cubs want to gain an advantage by playing the damn games. I don't think the neutral-site garbage has a lot to do with that. Cubs fans would be close to outnumbering Houston fans even in Houston. The Astros are the ones trying to play with the schedule till it comes out the way they like.

Apparently MLB is willing to oblige them.

 

Exactly, funny how a team like the '04 Marlins were just shipped off to a neutral venue yet houston becomes a special situation.

 

That may be because the Marlins only have approximately 500 fans even when they are at home. Dolphin Stadium is a neutral site to the Marlins.

[Guest]

There isn't enough making fun of Lance Berkman going on in this thread.

[Sosa21MVP]

I'll let you off the hook, my post didn't make much sense either after reading it again. :-)) Edited September 12, 2008 by Sosa21MVP

[Guest]

Ohh, missing the word "fun" sure changes that sentence. #-o

[JeffH]

Drayton McLane, Bud Selig <----------- Distant relatives of Ray Nagin, evidently Edited September 13, 2008 by JeffH

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Atlanta is a possibility.

 

Link.

 

Atlanta Braves officials confirmed to WSB-TV Channel 2 that the Astros and Cubs are discussing moving at least two games scheduled for Houston to Atlanta.

 

The Astros and the Cubs are scheduled to play in Houston this weekend, but Hurricane Ike is predicted to hit Texas late Friday or early Saturday

[BCVM22]

Atlanta is a possibility.

 

Link.

 

Atlanta Braves officials confirmed to WSB-TV Channel 2 that the Astros and Cubs are discussing moving at least two games scheduled for Houston to Atlanta.

 

The Astros and the Cubs are scheduled to play in Houston this weekend, but Hurricane Ike is predicted to hit Texas late Friday or early Saturday

 

Finally some good news. Cubs can go to Atlanta, pretend they're playing the Braves and take care of business.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If the Cubs go to Atlanta, who wants to meet me there?

[Illini Iceman]

Looks like more than just the Cubs and Astros are going to be scrambling to make up games:

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-080912-brewers-postponed,0,6182592.story

 

PHILADELPHIA - Steady rain forced the postponement of a key matchup between the NL wild card-leading Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

 

A makeup date wasn't immediately announced.

 

The Phillies won the opener of the four-game series Thursday night to move within three games of Milwaukee.

 

Scheduled starters Cole Hamels (12-9) and Manny Parra (10-7) are expected to start Saturday.

 

I also find this interesting:

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080911&content_id=3457922&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

Jason Marquis, Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster were slated to start for the Cubs. Those plans are on hold while the Cubs wait for word on when -- and where -- they'll play.

 

"Our rotation is pretty well set, so we really wanted to play," Piniella said. "Now, depending on what will happen with the doubleheader, we're looking at bringing a pitcher back on his fourth day instead of his fifth day, so it'll probably cause us some problems. Our preference would've been to play, and Houston's hotter than a pistol, we know that."

 

Wouldn't it make more sense to start Marshall in one of the games of a possible double header? He has been pretty effective lately and that seems better than having to pitch someone on short rest later in the week.

[radarluv1]

maybe they are trying to avoid lilly throwing against the crew? let him pitch monday.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Well, here's the latest from Houston.

 

Link.

 

Astros owner Drayton McLane spoke with baseball commissioner Bud Selig several times Friday and remained hopeful of playing at least two games against the Chicago Cubs in a two-day period Sunday and Monday at Minute Maid Park.

 

The Cubs have lobbied Selig to have the series moved to a neutral site, but McLane has held his ground in part because his players want to be by their families during this stressful time. McLane said he wants to give his fans the opportunity to watch the potentially crucial series at home.

 

“We’re standing up for our fans and for our players. It’s just not right to have them leave their families to play at another site like Atlanta or Cincinnati. I said that to (Selig) several times (Thursday) and I said it again (Friday).”

 

McLane said there are three main considerations as the club consults with Selig and the Office of Emergency Management while considering whether they can play a doubleheader Sunday against the Cubs at Minute Maid Park and another game Monday.

 

One is the feasibility of the Cubs’ charter to land at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Saturday; the second is to make sure there’s no flooding near the ballpark downtown; the third is making sure there is electricity, according to McLane.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

facepalm

 

 

MCLANE YOU STUPID DOUCHEBAG...THE PLAYERS FAMILIES ARE NOT GOING TO BE IN HOUSTON REGARDLESS!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

But this article, posted about forty-five minutes ago, indicates Milwaukee may be where the games are played.

 

Link.

 

Major League Baseball was considering moving the key series between two National League Central contenders to Milwaukee on Sunday and Monday, according to baseball sources. If the plan goes through, details, including game times and ticket procedures, would be announced Saturday.

 

A Cubs official said they hoped to have a decision on Saturday, and were awaiting word from MLB.

 

The series was supposed to be played in Houston, but the impending arrival of Hurricane Ike prompted the Astros and MLB to decide Thursday to postpone games Friday and Saturday. Officials were scrambling to determine alternate sites.

[weatherdood]

But this article, posted about forty-five minutes ago, indicates Milwaukee may be where the games are played.

 

Link.

 

Major League Baseball was considering moving the key series between two National League Central contenders to Milwaukee on Sunday and Monday, according to baseball sources. If the plan goes through, details, including game times and ticket procedures, would be announced Saturday.

 

A Cubs official said they hoped to have a decision on Saturday, and were awaiting word from MLB.

 

The series was supposed to be played in Houston, but the impending arrival of Hurricane Ike prompted the Astros and MLB to decide Thursday to postpone games Friday and Saturday. Officials were scrambling to determine alternate sites.

 

:beg: :beg: :beg:

 

This would be amazing if it happens.

[Guest]

I can't imagine Houston will be in any condition to play on Sunday. I also don't know how likely it is the Cubs could fly in or the Astros fly out.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Based on everything I'm reading, I can't see them getting the Cubs to Houston on Saturday. Even if they could get there, the city is likely to be a mess. There's going to be flooding, even if the downtown area isn't. Many fans would be coming from other areas, so it's still going to be a sparse crowd, but I guess it would help the Astros make a buck off of the fans unable to get there.

 

I'm still hoping for Atlanta, but it looks like Milwaukee is the leader as far as getting these games if they aren't in Houston.

[weatherdood]

Couple of things I've heard in watching some of the Houston TV Stations coverage of the hurricane... They've said that the last time there was flooding comparable to the flooding that's expeced from Ike... it took upwards of nine months to get the oil refineries back to full capacity.... that leads me to believe that the flooding damage in general is expected to be extensive...which would suggest playing in Houston is as close as it gets to impossible..

 

Secondly... I'm confident that even if the Cubs couldn't fly into Houston, or the Astros couldn't fly out... it would be feasible to bus to either Austin or San Antonio and use those airports, which will not be nearly as affected..

[David]

Someone on Brewerfan.net claims the games will be played at MP this weekend. Day/night twinbill on Sunday and a single game Monday.

 

Another poster in the thread claims that the threadstarter is "in the loop," which I'm guessing means he has some sort of inside info.

 

http://brewersfandemonium.yuku.com/topic/15583/t/Cubs-Astros-to-Play-at-Miller-Park.html

[weatherdood]

I'm still hoping for Atlanta, but it looks like Milwaukee is the leader as far as getting these games if they aren't in Houston.

 

Personally, I think Atlanta is the fairest option available from an Astros standpoint... their travel to Florida for their next series would be easier... plus the Cubs travel from Atlanta to Chicago would really be no different than flying from Houston to Chicago... so the Cubs really don't suffer either..

 

Milwaukee would put the Astros at a significant disadvantage and the Cubs at a significant advantage travelwise. The Cubs could obviously bus to and from Milwaukee, while Houston would have to fly to Milwaukee, then all the way down to Miami following the series. While I would be all for a series in Milwaukee, I could definitely understand the Astros beef with it.

 

There's a slight chance for rain both Sunday and Monday in Atlanta, and it's supposed to be hot and humid... Maybe the rationale for playing in Milwaukee would be to make 100% sure the games would get in no matter what.

 

Lastly, and considerr the source, and take it for what it's worth.... I heard David Kaplan mention briefly that Toronto was a city that was getting a little bit of play for this series as well.

[David]

Actually, I just noticed that he didn't say anything about a double header. But I just got done reading the thread and apparently he works at MP.

[Slugger_16]

“We’re standing up for our fans and for our players. It’s just not right to have them leave their families to play at another site like Atlanta or Cincinnati. I said that to (Selig) several times (Thursday) and I said it again (Friday).”

 

My guess is those fans don't give two craps about getting screwed out of a couple of baseball games right now. And even if they're able to play on Sunday, I think those fans will be busy, you know, cleaning up their houses and such.

 

McLane said there are three main considerations as the club consults with Selig and the Office of Emergency Management while considering whether they can play a doubleheader Sunday against the Cubs at Minute Maid Park and another game Monday.

 

One is the feasibility of the Cubs’ charter to land at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Saturday; the second is to make sure there’s no flooding near the ballpark downtown; the third is making sure there is electricity, according to McLane.

 

Seems like if these are the issues, they wouldn't wait until it's already too late to make a decision (as it is right now). Basically now they're just hoping that things will be okay enough on Sunday to play. To me, that's unacceptable. If you can find ways to get the games in, you should, even if that means moving them.

 

Besides, let's not act like this was a last minute situation here. The storm was headed to TX all week. You'd think that in that amount of time, MLB/the Astros/whoever is running this situation would have some sort of contingency plan in case it comes.

[erik316wttn]

edit: double post Edited September 13, 2008 by erik316wttn

[erik316wttn]

But this article, posted about forty-five minutes ago, indicates Milwaukee may be where the games are played.

 

Link.

 

Major League Baseball was considering moving the key series between two National League Central contenders to Milwaukee on Sunday and Monday, according to baseball sources. If the plan goes through, details, including game times and ticket procedures, would be announced Saturday.

 

A Cubs official said they hoped to have a decision on Saturday, and were awaiting word from MLB.

 

The series was supposed to be played in Houston, but the impending arrival of Hurricane Ike prompted the Astros and MLB to decide Thursday to postpone games Friday and Saturday. Officials were scrambling to determine alternate sites.

 

:beg: :beg: :beg:

 

This would be amazing if it happens.

 

I have Monday off, too. I would SO go.

[Garwilly]

I can confirm the reports of the Cubs/Astros playing at miller park. I work for the Brewers, and my boss called me this evening to see if i'd be able to work. They are playing what we believe to be a day game on sunday, and a doubleheader on monday. The times are still TBA.

[BCVM22]

I can confirm the reports of the Cubs/Astros playing at miller park. I work for the Brewers, and my boss called me this evening to see if i'd be able to work. They are playing what we believe to be a day game on sunday, and a doubleheader on monday. The times are still TBA.

 

This would be so great.