Abbatacola: Why Cubs And Dodgers Had To Play On Friday
Updated at 2:21 p.m. on April 22, 2011
By Matt Abbatacola--
CHICAGO (WSCR) With the tarp covering the field at Wrigley, they decided to wait out the next line of storms before first-pitch. The scheduled 1:20 start was pushed back to 2:30 p.m. Here's an evaluation, 100% chance of rain on Friday - let's play two on Saturday?
It sounds simple enough, but it really isn't. Game 2 between the Cubs and Dodgers on Saturday is scheduled for a 12:05 first-pitch. It's a local telecast with FOX-TV picking up the late afternoon national broadcast. FOX would have to give permission for the Cubs to telecast a possible Game 2 of a double-header during the roughly 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. window of their telecast. Ok, so play a day night double-header? Well, the Lakeview neighborhood would have to give the Cubs special permission to play an additional unscheduled night game or force the team to reschedule an already scheduled night game later in the season if that's even a possibility.
Could the two teams play a double-header on Sunday? There are three issues with that idea. First, a night game would conflict with the national telecast on ESPN, and they would not allow the Cubs to telecast their game locally. Can you imagine a Cubs home game not on WGN-TV or CSN? I can't. Second, the team would face the same issue with the neighborhood and an additional night game. Third, the Dodgers wouldn't want to play a double-header on get away day before traveling to Florida for a series with the Marlins.
So, what is the conclusion? Sit and wait out the rain.
When the game starts at 2:30 p.m., the Cubs will send Casey Coleman (1-0 with a 4.22 ERA) to the mound to face Chad Billingsley (1-1 with a 4.91 ERA) and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mike Quade's lineup has a different look to it on Friday with Fukudome leading off, Castro batting third, and Marlon Byrd batting sixth. Will this change be a permanent move? No. Quade said, "I have almost a guaranteed different lineup [Saturday]."
