Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the Nationals and Cubs Tuesday has been postponed by rain and will be played Wednesday at Wrigley Field.
Game time will be 3:08 p.m. (TBS, 670-AM, 1000-AM). The Cubs lead the best-of-five series 2-1.
The tarp was put on the infield at 4:15, and the announcement made at 5:15.
A rainout could have been a blessing for the Nationals, who, trailing the Cubs 2 games to 1 and facing elimination, could have turned to Game 1 starter Stephen Strasburg on what would have been an open travel day Wednesday. But manager Dusty Baker said right-hander Tanner Roark (13-11, 4.67 ERA), who was scheduled to start for the Nats Tuesday, will go Wednesday.
Strasburg (15-4, 2.52) was dominant with two runs allowed (none earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out 10 in the Cubs’ 3-0 victory Friday at Nationals Park, and the common speculation was that Strasburg would pitch instead. But Baker said Strasburg has been “under the weather” and that he preferred to keep his pitchers in rotation. He would be available for Game 5, if necessary, in Washington.
“It’s fine, we have full confidence in Tanner,” Baker said.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Game 4 starter Jake Arrieta would start Tuesday or Wednesday. About having to possibly face Strasburg, he said, “How many times have I said to be the best you have to beat the best,” Maddon said. “I don’t try to over-dissect anything.”
“You’re going to face somebody good with the Nationals no matter what,” Maddon said.
