Cubs’ Craig Counsell Frustrated by Consecutive Rainouts and Controversial Ejection

In a week marked by inclement weather, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed his frustration after his team faced consecutive rainouts, culminating in a postponed game against the New York Mets. The series opener at Citi Field was rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader, but the disruption left Counsell visibly irked.

“Look, consecutive rainouts are, they’re troublesome for pitching, for sure. And frankly, yesterday’s game did not need to be rained out. It didn’t rain, and for some reason we didn’t play,” Counsell lamented from the dugout, where a tarp covered the infield amid a drizzly day in Queens. The weather had been unpredictable, with heavy thunderstorms striking the area in the late afternoon but a lull in rain occurring between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Originally scheduled for a 7:10 p.m. start, the game was called off roughly 40 minutes prior, as the Mets announced a postponement due to weather. This marked the first time since April 2018 that the Cubs had back-to-back games postponed due to weather, and it was the first occurrence in different cities since October 1986.

When asked if he sought an explanation for the decision, Counsell was blunt. “Major League Baseball tells you the game’s canceled, and that’s it. Especially on the road. That’s all you get,” he said.

Shota Imanaga was slated to start against fellow countryman Kodai Senga, but with the uncertainty surrounding the game, the Cubs opted to have Imanaga throw a bullpen session instead, pushing his start back. “Just to give him a chance to touch the mound and be a little more in routine,” Counsell explained.

The day only got more complicated for the Cubs. In the opener of the four-game series, which had a brief 11-minute rain delay, Edward Cabrera took the mound against Senga. However, Cabrera suffered a left leg injury during the Cubs’ 9-6 victory and is now headed to the injured list. “You stack a doubleheader, which affects — you’re not going to have enough starters available, so we’re either going to end up with a bullpen game or we’re going to call up (someone) later in the week,” Counsell noted.

Controversy struck in the seventh inning when Michael Busch drew a one-out walk, seemingly advancing teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong from first to second. However, Crow-Armstrong was running on the full-count pitch and slid headfirst into second base as Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez threw down. New York manager Carlos Mendoza challenged the play, leading to a replay review that determined Crow-Armstrong was tagged out after losing contact with the base.

“No comment. Pretty confusing stuff,” Crow-Armstrong said, visibly frustrated as he was ushered away from the umpires after attempting to argue the call. Counsell, having received an explanation from the umpires about the challenge, returned to the field to express his displeasure, resulting in his ejection. “Umpires interpret rules correctly. They don’t get that stuff wrong. It’s a bad rule. It’s a terrible rule. I mean, I don’t know what else to say. Like, not a good rule,” he asserted.

In roster news, the Cubs welcomed Jayden Murray to their bullpen after acquiring the right-hander from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor league first baseman Cameron Sisneros. “This is a guy that’s had a lot of success in the minor leagues. He’s pitched really well in the minor leagues. In the big leagues, he’s gotten just a limited opportunity,” Counsell remarked. Murray made his Cubs debut in the ninth inning, allowing three runs, including a homer by Bo Bichette, before securing the final out. To make room for Murray, the Cubs optioned right-hander Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.