Full Breakdown
Cubs Manager Craig Counsell Decries Back-to-Back Rainouts and Rule Controversy
6/25/2026, 3:08:18 AM
Back-to-Back Rainouts Disrupt Cubs' Schedule
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell saw his club lose two straight games to weather in early June 2026. A Monday night series opener at Citi Field against the New York Mets was called off minutes before the 7:10 p.m. start, and the following day a home finale versus the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field was also cancelled. The Mets contest will be replayed as a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday, while the Blue Jays game is scheduled for August 6.
Timeline
- June 20: Rainout at Wrigley Field vs. Toronto Blue Jays.
- June 22: Citi Field game vs. Mets postponed ~40 min before first pitch.
- June 23: Edward Cabrera injured left leg; Counsell ejected after replay review of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s tag.
- June 24: Day-night doubleheader begins; Shota Imanaga’s start shifted to bullpen; Jayden Murray added after trade for Cameron Sisneros.
- Aug 6: Makeup game vs. Blue Jays.
Data & Roster Moves
The rainouts forced a rotation shuffle: Shota Imanaga moved from a Monday start to a Wednesday bullpen appearance, and Edward Cabrera was placed on the injured list with a left-leg strain. Jayden Murray joined the bullpen after a trade for minor-league first baseman Cameron Sisneros, while right-hander Gavin Hollowell was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Official Statements & Responses
Counsell said the rainouts were “troublesome for pitching” and that the Mets game “did not need to be rained out.” He noted MLB’s practice of issuing only a cancellation notice for road games. The Mets confirmed the postponement was weather-related.
Criticism of MLB Rule
Counsell called the replay-review rule that overturned Pete Crow-Armstrong’s tag “a bad rule” and “terrible,” arguing it forces managers into confusing ejections. No MLB comment on the rule appears in the sources.
On-the-Ground Weather & Conflicting Reports
Citi Field saw heavy thunderstorms late Monday and after 11 p.m., followed by light showers that largely ceased between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; a tarp covered the infield. Counsell claimed the game “didn’t rain,” yet weather data recorded rain, highlighting a discrepancy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
- “Major League Baseball tells you the game’s canceled, and that’s it. Especially on the road. That’s all you get,” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
- “Umpires interpret rules correctly. They don’t get that stuff wrong,” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
- “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,” — Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
What’s Next
The Cubs will complete Wednesday’s doubleheader, monitor Edward Cabrera’s recovery, and may call up a pitcher to shore up a stretched bullpen. The postponed Blue Jays game stays set for August 6.
