Cubs-Reds Rained Out

The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds would’ve preferred to play a game on Monday night. But the postponement following a 57-minute rain delay wasn’t without benefits to both teams.

The Cubs are in the 11th day of a stretch of 30 games in 31 days. Starting Monday, Cincinnati is playing 17 straight without an off-day. “There is the benefit of getting an extra day’s rest,” said Reds manager Bryan Price. The Cubs’ next off day is May 19.

A makeup date for Monday’s rainout will be announced at a later time. Price said it’s unlikely that the game would be made up during this week’s three-game series, adding it could be played as a day-night doubleheader during the Cubs’ next visit to Great American Ball Park, July 7-10. Following this week’s series, the Reds host the Cubs seven more times.

Both teams will keep their starting rotations on schedule. Cubs Jeff Samardzija will start Tuesday’s game against Reds  Alfredo Simon.

The rain means Simon will wait one more day before returning to the mound for the first time since the news broke of a $15 million civil lawsuit being filed against him by a woman claiming sexual assault. Price, who was Simon’s pitching coach the past four seasons in Cincinnati, doesn’t expect the lawsuit to be a distraction.

“I take him at his word that nothing happened and he’s assured me that he’s ready to pitch and his focus is on pitching,” Price said Monday afternoon.

The civil suit claims that a woman, identified as Jane Doe, met Simon at a Washington, DC nightclub in April while the Reds were in town to face the Nationals. The woman claims she took a cab with Simon to a Hotel, where he sexually assaulted her. The Reds organization is not commenting on the matter.

Apr 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of the scoreboard during a rain delay between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

So, it supposed to rain tomorrow night, oh joy, when the Reds are out of town, it’s so nice here in Cincinnati, but when there at GABP, it freaking rains, make up your mind mother nature.

Alright, first pitch, hopefully tomorrow is at 7:10pm.