Chicago Cubs game postponed, but they grab half game lead in final Wild Card

Rain postpones Cubs; Braves comeback to beat Giants

The strange summer weather in Pittsburgh forced the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirated to postpone their game after two rain delays–the second from a pop-up storm not on radar–but the Cubs still took a half-game lead for the second Wild Card spot. The Atlanta Braves trailed the Giants 6-0 but rallied to tie it in the bottom of the ninth, then win it with two in the bottom of the 12th. Not a bad day for the Cubs for just a few innings of work put in.

The Cubs’ Dan Haren talked retirement when he was traded to the Miami Marlins. He’s a west coast guy that wanted to stay there. Haren has been much more receptive to being sent to Chicago while they’re in the middle of a playoff push, but this could be his “swan song”. He took number 50, saying “it was my first number and it’ll probably be my last“.

The Cubs’ closer situation has remained a fluid one, as skipper Joe Maddon has alternated to the hot hand in recent weeks. Could newly acquired Tommy Hunter be another option in that group? He’s picked one up already, but will he be a long-term option for the role?

The Cubs minor league slate was minimal last night, but it did include another fine performance from Javier Baez as the Iowa Cubs rallied in the eighth and ninth for a 12-10 lead. Baez was 3-for-6 with a double and a triple to go along with his three RBIs. Is his time coming? We’ll have more on that later today.

Here are the stories you might have missed from yesterday:

‘Braves make incredible comeback in win, but lose Freeman’ – Tomahawk Take

‘Cubs Haren looks to ride off into the sunset’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Could the Cubs have a closer-in-waiting in Hunter?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs Minor League Wrap Up: August 3rd’ – Bleed Cubbie Blue

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