Brewers-Cubs Game 2 to be made up Tuesday in split doubleheader
CHICAGO -- The Cubs and Brewers are in the midst of a crucial series that features five games in a four-day span. An already-daunting schedule for the rivals was thrown a wrench on Monday, when rain forced the teams to move the planned doubleheader to Tuesday.
After the Brewers picked up a 7-0 win over the Cubs on Monday afternoon, the scheduled night game was washed away by a storm that swept across the North Side. Rather than try to wait things out, the game was rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Tuesday, with tentative first-pitch times of 1:20 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. CT.
“The Brewers have played brilliantly,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We don’t get a lot to say about that. And just credit to them -- they’ve done a good job. It’s made our position in the division kind of unfortunate, as you compare it to the other divisions, right? But, I think we’ve got a very good baseball team here. And we know that.”
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The win on Monday helped the Brewers improve to 15-1 in August -- including a club-record 14-game winning streak -- and 79-45 overall. That increased their NL Central lead over Chicago (70-54) to nine games in the standings after the Cubs held a 6 1/2-game edge over Milwaukee back on June 18, when a rainout between the teams initially necessitated this week’s twin bill.
For Tuesday’s doubleheader, the Cubs are planning on handing the ball to All-Star lefty Matthew Boyd (11-6, 2.46 ERA) in Game 1 and right-hander Jameson Taillon (7-6, 4.44) in the second tilt. Taillon will need to be activated from the injured list, following a right calf strain that kept him sidelined since early July.
For the Brewers in Game 1, they’ll turn to Chad Patrick (3-7, 3.52), who'd been designated as the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader and scheduled to start the nightcap. Brandon Woodruff (4-0, 2.06), who was already slated to start on Tuesday, will pitch Game 2.
Woodruff will be pitching at Wrigley Field for the first time since Aug. 30, 2023. He has a 3.33 ERA in 11 games (nine starts) at Wrigley Field, and the Brewers are 7-0 in his starts this season since he returned from the IL.
"I enjoy the energy of pitching at Wrigley, and you know what, that series means a little bit more, and that's what I like," Woodruff said over the weekend. "Gosh, it's been two years now, so I'm looking forward to it."
What does he like so much about the North Side?
"I like the mound, I like the visual. I'm sure you've heard from a lot of guys that it feels like you're right on top of the hitter," Woodruff said. "And then just the atmosphere. There's a buzz there, always. [The Cubs] are playing baseball, but we're just -- it's crazy, man. It's crazy to be a part of."
Separate tickets are required for each game. Fans must exit the ballpark after the completion of the first game. Mobile tickets via the MLB Ballpark app will automatically update with the makeup game information. No ticket exchange is necessary.