Wrigley Field, the storied home of the Chicago Cubs, has witnessed many events over its 112 years. Rain delays, rare fireworks shows, and fog are not unfamiliar. However, experiencing all three elements in one night made Saturday a unique occasion.
The game against the St. Louis Cardinals started with a 58-minute rain delay. The Cubs later endured a 15-minute fog delay before the seventh inning began. To cap the night, a fireworks display celebrated the Fourth of July. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong noted, “I’ve never seen anything like that. It was reminiscent of my childhood playing rec ball.”
A severe thunderstorm initially delayed the game. An American flag was displayed across the outfield during the national anthem as the rain subsided, and fog rolled in. The fog intensified, affecting visibility significantly. During the game, Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt hit a home run off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga’s first pitch. By the sixth inning, the fog posed challenges for players.
Center fielder Crow-Armstrong caught a fly ball awkwardly, and other players struggled with visibility. Even fans joined in singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” during the fog delay, echoing similar moments during the World Cup.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell shared, “At one point, the upper deck and the center field flag disappeared. Visibility was a challenge.” Not long after, play resumed despite the dense fog.
Eventually, the fog cleared, and the evening turned pleasant. However, the Cubs’ struggle to score persisted. Nico Hoerner, Crow-Armstrong, and Alex Bregman all reached base but succumbed to scoring position woes, highlighted by going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners stranded.
Shota Imanaga, although initially challenged, was forced out after 4 2/3 innings due to an increased pitch count. As the only starter not placed on the injured list, Imanaga’s presence is crucial, especially with 13 pitchers out with injuries. Counsell emphasized Imanaga’s reliability, stating, “We’ve been able to count on Shota, and that’s helped stabilize our team this year.”
Cubs’ Pitching Search Continues
The Cubs welcomed right-hander Jake Woodford, signing him to a major-league contract. At 29, Woodford had posted a 6.94 ERA with the Milwaukee Brewers before opting out after a stint with their Triple-A team. Previously in 2022, his ERA was a promising 2.23 with the Cardinals. Woodford aims to stabilize what’s been a challenging pitching situation for the Cubs.
Bryse Wilson, who allowed seven runs in a loss to the Cardinals, was designated for assignment to make room for Woodford’s addition.
Injury Updates
Manager Counsell provided injury updates, noting Matt Shaw’s (left hand sprain) return after the All-Star break. Shaw is yet to resume baseball activities, with a significant test scheduled this week.
Jameson Taillon (left hamstring strain) is expected to pitch in a rehab assignment with High A South Bend. These updates show the ongoing challenges the Cubs face with player injuries.
Reported by Andy Martinez for the Chicago Tribune with contributions from the Associated Press.
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