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

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So they really aren't going to move these?

 

As it appears now, they are in a wait and see mode. The tentative plan is to play them in Houston as a Sunday DH with the final game on Monday, Sunday night game with a DH Monday, or a DH Monday with the final game to be made up at the end of the season.

 

If it appears that even a Monday DH is going to be ruled out after the storm hits, the Sunday-Monday schedule might be moved to a neutral location.

 

If this storm hits as hard as it is predicted on its current path, I can't envision a game there on Sunday and Monday seems unlikely as well. However, the Texans are still planning for their game to be at home Monday, so I can see why the Astros could envision playing there Monday as well. If the NFL believes that a game could be held Monday night, the Astros may believe that they can as well. Color me skeptical.

[Derwood]

when does the NLDS start?

 

two days after the final regular season game

[C.C.]

That same article had this to say...

 

The Cubs had hoped the potentially crucial series could be moved to a neutral site, and they made their displeasure clear to the Astros, the commissioner’s office, the union and to the media.

 

“It wasn’t the Cubs’ unilateral decision not to come,” Astros general manager Ed Wade said. “This was a process, conversations that had been taking place over the better part of 24 hours at this point with regard to what was going to happen. Everybody’s looking at the same weather data and trying to look at the schedule and trying to determine what the right thing to do is.

 

“The Cubs had very strong feelings about what they felt was appropriate and everybody got on the same page and everybody is comfortable with the announcement.”

 

McLane and the Astros’ players, who are making a strong push to win the National League wild card, prefer to have those games in front of their fans.

 

“The first thing we heard was the Cubs wanted us to fly to Milwaukee to play,” said Astros infielder Mark Loretta, one of only two National League player representatives.

 

“We didn’t think that was a very good idea to try to evacuate our families and take off and leave them behind and all that stuff. I think that was quickly nixed.

 

“Milwaukee came up for some reason. Of course, Milwaukee is kind of a Cubs home game.”

 

Both clubs are scheduled to be off Monday, so one game could possibly be made up before the Cubs fly to play the Brewers and the Astros fly to play the Florida Marlins.

 

Mark, no matter where it'll be moved to, it's going to be a "kind of a Cubs home game".

[Soul]

Mike & Mike were talking about what might happen if one of the games is made up at the end of the season.

 

For all of our hand-wringing in Chicago, nationally people expect that the Central race is all but over with the Cubs holding a 5.5 game lead heading into the final 2 weeks.

 

If the Cubs' lead holds, then that game tacked on to the end of the season could get real interesting. The Cubs would probably send all of their scrubs out there, and Houston might be in a position where they would put their "A" squad on the field. And how would that go over in Milwaukee and Philadelphia if Houston is able to tack on a game at the end that is close to a sure thing?

 

Not that I care, but I would be very interested to hear the talk here in Madison & Milwaukee if it comes down to that. Certainly we aren't going to deny our best players the rest just to humor the Crew & Phils.

Edited September 12, 2008 by Soul

[UMFan83]

Mike & Mike were talking about what might happen if one of the games is made up at th end of the season.

 

For all of our hand-wringing in Chicago, nationally people expect that the Central race is all but over with the Cubs holding a 5.5 game lead heading into the final 2 weeks.

 

If the Cubs' lead holds, then that game tacked on to the end of the season could get real interesting. The Cubs would probably send all of their scrubs out there, and Houston might be in a position where they would put their "A" squad on the field. And how would that go over in Milwaukee and Philadelphia if Houston is able to tack on a game at the end that is close to a sure thing?

 

Not that I care, but I would be very interested to hear the talk here in Madison & Milwaukee if it comes down to that.

 

Honestly, how is that any different than if the Cubs and Astros played in the last series of the season and they already clinched everything?

[Soul]

Mike & Mike were talking about what might happen if one of the games is made up at th end of the season.

 

For all of our hand-wringing in Chicago, nationally people expect that the Central race is all but over with the Cubs holding a 5.5 game lead heading into the final 2 weeks.

 

If the Cubs' lead holds, then that game tacked on to the end of the season could get real interesting. The Cubs would probably send all of their scrubs out there, and Houston might be in a position where they would put their "A" squad on the field. And how would that go over in Milwaukee and Philadelphia if Houston is able to tack on a game at the end that is close to a sure thing?

 

Not that I care, but I would be very interested to hear the talk here in Madison & Milwaukee if it comes down to that.

 

Honestly, how is that any different than if the Cubs and Astros played in the last series of the season and they already clinched everything?

I guess it's not, except that there's no possibility of the entire series being the last series of the year this year. The scenario of the Cubs/Stros having a makeup game after the season is a possibility.

[Shilzzz]

the problem is, that if the cubs were to be the first to clinch, that allows them the right to rest players for a period of time before the postseason starts. if the team the cubs play in the first round doesn't clinch until the last couple days of the season, then the cubs playing three extra games after the regular season schedule gives their opponent the luxury of extra days to set up their rotation, specifically.

 

this is kind of bullhowry.

[hardcorecubfan]

the problem is, that if the cubs were to be the first to clinch, that allows them the right to rest players for a period of time before the postseason starts. if the team the cubs play in the first round doesn't clinch until the last couple days of the season, then the cubs playing three extra games after the regular season schedule gives their opponent the luxury of extra days to set up their rotation, specifically.

 

this is kind of bullhowry.

 

and looking at last years results in the NL it didn't seem to matter

[arosenfedo]

Just looking at it from a big picture perspective it really is a fascinating and unique situation. One that just reaffirms why I love baseball, this situations is something that could only happen in this game.

[nilodnayr]

Mike & Mike were talking about what might happen if one of the games is made up at th end of the season.

 

For all of our hand-wringing in Chicago, nationally people expect that the Central race is all but over with the Cubs holding a 5.5 game lead heading into the final 2 weeks.

 

If the Cubs' lead holds, then that game tacked on to the end of the season could get real interesting. The Cubs would probably send all of their scrubs out there, and Houston might be in a position where they would put their "A" squad on the field. And how would that go over in Milwaukee and Philadelphia if Houston is able to tack on a game at the end that is close to a sure thing?

 

Not that I care, but I would be very interested to hear the talk here in Madison & Milwaukee if it comes down to that.

 

Honestly, how is that any different than if the Cubs and Astros played in the last series of the season and they already clinched everything?

 

Because there would still be 2 days before the playoffs to rest your starters making it more likely that you'd play your starters (for at least a portion of the game) in your last series to keep them fresh.

 

This whole thing is a pretty genius tactical move by the Astros. As things stand, theres a very good chance that (even without playing this series), the Cubs will have the division locked up before the final game of the regular season. Theres also a chance that they wild card race between the Astros and the Brewers will come down to the end. Therefore, foricing these games to be moved from this weekend to the end of the season will move what are very meaningful games to both teams to a situation where the Astros will be playing an opponent that as very little interest in actually winning the game. Therefore, their chances of making the playoffs improve significantly.

 

That has to be about a 1000000x bigger advantage than any disadvantage they would have by taking the hour flight to St. Louis to play the games this weekend. If I were the Brewers or the Phillies I'd be screaming bloody murder to the Commissioner.

[nilodnayr]

Just looking at it from a big picture perspective it really is a fascinating and unique situation. One that just reaffirms why I love baseball, this situations is something that could only happen in this game.

 

 

That idocy by decision makers leads to a huge cluster-farfegnugen? If thats why you love baseball, then you my friend will cream over the speedball rush of American Politics.

[arosenfedo]

Calm down! I simply am saying that this is a unique situation that probably would never happen in any other sport. It makes for an interesting debate. There are many other things I love about the game, the uniqueness of situations that the nature of the game creates is one of those things.

 

That being said, I care about the Cubs but it's only a game, no need to flame me!

 

Just looking at it from a big picture perspective it really is a fascinating and unique situation. One that just reaffirms why I love baseball, this situations is something that could only happen in this game.

 

 

That idocy by decision makers leads to a huge cluster-farfegnugen? If thats why you love baseball, then you my friend will cream over the speedball rush of American Politics.

[Soul]

This whole thing is a pretty genius tactical move by the Astros.

 

It's pretty crafty, but I'd stop short of calling it genius. They see an opportunity and they're trying to make the most of it.

 

I'm trying to think of ways it could backfire. How about if the Crew & Phils continue losing and the Stros wind up sewing up the WC before the end game? Then they would be denying themselves the rest at a time when they would value it more than easy wins.

[Mizzou]

This whole thing is a pretty genius tactical move by the Astros.

 

It's pretty crafty, but I'd stop short of calling it genius. They see an opportunity and they're trying to make the most of it.

 

I'm trying to think of ways it could backfire. How about if the Crew & Phils continue losing and the Stros wind up sewing up the WC before the end game? Then they would be denying themselves the rest at a time when they would value it more than easy wins.

If the Astros have already clinched the Wild Card, and the Cubs have clinched the division... there will be no need to make the game(s) up.

[nilodnayr]

Calm down! I simply am saying that this is a unique situation that probably would never happen in any other sport. It makes for an interesting debate. There are many other things I love about the game, the uniqueness of situations that the nature of the game creates is one of those things.

 

That being said, I care about the Cubs but it's only a game, no need to flame me!

 

Just looking at it from a big picture perspective it really is a fascinating and unique situation. One that just reaffirms why I love baseball, this situations is something that could only happen in this game.

 

 

That idocy by decision makers leads to a huge cluster-farfegnugen? If thats why you love baseball, then you my friend will cream over the speedball rush of American Politics.

 

Flame you? I think you took my post the wrong way.

[arosenfedo]

My apologies if I took the post the wrong way. One of the disadvantages of e-mail and the internet is that you can't see facial expressions or get any context. Anyways, sorry for misunderstanding.

 

Calm down! I simply am saying that this is a unique situation that probably would never happen in any other sport. It makes for an interesting debate. There are many other things I love about the game, the uniqueness of situations that the nature of the game creates is one of those things.

 

That being said, I care about the Cubs but it's only a game, no need to flame me!

 

Just looking at it from a big picture perspective it really is a fascinating and unique situation. One that just reaffirms why I love baseball, this situations is something that could only happen in this game.

 

 

That idocy by decision makers leads to a huge cluster-farfegnugen? If thats why you love baseball, then you my friend will cream over the speedball rush of American Politics.

 

Flame you? I think you took my post the wrong way.

[nilodnayr]

This whole thing is a pretty genius tactical move by the Astros.

 

It's pretty crafty, but I'd stop short of calling it genius. They see an opportunity and they're trying to make the most of it.

 

I'm trying to think of ways it could backfire. How about if the Crew & Phils continue losing and the Stros wind up sewing up the WC before the end game? Then they would be denying themselves the rest at a time when they would value it more than easy wins.

If the Astros have already clinched the Wild Card, and the Cubs have clinched the division... there will be no need to make the game(s) up.

 

Right, the only way it can hurt them is from a revenue perspective of not having those games.

[rynefan]

As of right now (1 p.m. Central), are they still shooting for a double header on Sunday and one game on Monday? I keep hearing conflicting things. Thanks.

[Lefty]

As of right now (1 p.m. Central), are they still shooting for a double header on Sunday and one game on Monday? I keep hearing conflicting things. Thanks.

 

Last I heard was single game Sunday and DH Monday. Looking at the weather report I think they're smoking something. And as far as neutral sites, how are the Astros going to get out Saturday? What a mess.

[kujay]

As of right now (1 p.m. Central), are they still shooting for a double header on Sunday and one game on Monday? I keep hearing conflicting things. Thanks.

 

Last I heard was single game Sunday and DH Monday. Looking at the weather report I think they're smoking something. And as far as neutral sites, how are the Astros going to get out Saturday? What a mess.

 

It is. Shame on McLane.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Whichever way you look at it and the teams spin it both teams are out to gain an advantage. Obviously the cubs would love to play at a different venue as they would outnumber 'stros fans by about 10,000-1. I don't think this would of bothered the Astros until they thought about the division race and what if it was all warapped up and we sent the scrubs for a 3 game series. Despite Mclean saying all the right things he is doing what is best for his playoff chances not the people in the city. Why not play the games in st louis and offer a load of stros fans the chance to go watch the game?? oh that's right money and wouldn't give them any kind of competitive advantage, sham.......Selig grow a pair??

[Andy]

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.

[Soul]

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.

[WrigleyinEngland]

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.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

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.

Because Selig is worthless. I really wish we would get a real commish.