Cubs, Red Sox continue to face never-ending weather drama while Alex Bregman return looms

The Chicago Cubs will be playing the Boston Red Sox this weekend, but there's still the question of Alex Bregman potentially making his return to the Cubs before the playoffs, and, more importantly, whether the series can actually be played in Boston.

While it was announced on Wednesday night that the Cubs and Red Sox would play a doubleheader at Fenway Park on Friday, it sounds like the final plans have yet to be determined. Word from Wrigley Field on Thursday was that scenario could see the teams play at Fenway Park on Friday, and then move the series to Tampa Bay for the final two games. The Rays are finishing the season on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend.

If the final two games were to be moved to Tampa Bay, they would go back to Saturday and Sunday as originally scheduled.

It would seem that Major League Baseball is trying to find an outcome that works for each time. The Cubs very much would be put in a tough spot with their pitching staff if they were forced to get through a doubleheader on Friday, and then pitch Shota Imanaga on short rest on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are looking at a potential loss of revenue, which does need to be factored into these conversations.

Note that if the Cubs and Red Sox do move forward with a doubleheader, roster rules in September prevent an additional player being added to the roster, considering rosters have already been expanded.

Alex Bregman injury update sets up Red Sox revenge before Cubs begin playoff run

Beyond the weather, for the Cubs, there's the matter of Bregman potentially returning before the playoffs. Despite Bregman dealing with multiple facial fractures, he's avoided surgery and has resumed baseball activities. With each day, the impression is that Bregman has taken steps forward in his recovery.

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Craig Counsell confirmed that Bregman has resumed hitting and would get some additional running in before the Cubs made any further decisions. Barring a setback, it would seem that Bregman is positioned to return over the weekend as the Cubs' designated hitter.

That does set the stage for an awkward revenge opportunity against the Red Sox. The whole reason Bregman was available to the Cubs last offseason is because the Red Sox low-balled their final offer to him, and called Scott Boras' bluff. Safe to say Red Sox fans have had this series circled since Bregman signed with the Cubs, but it certainly would be a strange sight if it takes place in Tampa instead of Fenway Park.

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