[EaglesPhan36]

Cubs-Astros games shifted to Milwaukee

CHICAGO (AP)—Two games between the Chicago Cubs and Astros that were postponed this weekend in Houston because of Hurricane Ike will now be played in Milwaukee.

The Cubs and Astros will play at 7:05 p.m. CDT on Sunday and 1:05 p.m. on Monday at Miller Park, with Houston being the home team. If the third game of the series is needed, it will be Sept. 29 at Houston.

Chicago leads the NL Central and Houston is in the wild-card race. The three-game set that was scheduled to begin Friday night in Houston was called off as the hurricane approached the Texas coast.

“Our preference would be that the tragedy never happened to the state of Texas and we could’ve played the games on schedule, but once the storm came there didn’t seem to be any alternative, and I think the Astros and the commissioner’s office worked hand in hand to come up with the best short-term solution they could with all the weather problems we’re having all over the country,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Saturday.

The Milwaukee Brewers play at Philadelphia on Sunday and are off Monday, making their ballpark available.

In April 2007, the Brewers hosted a series between the Indians and Angels that was moved because of inclement weather.

“Major League Baseball made the decision to move these games to Miller Park and given the lack of other viable options, we will be ready to serve as hosts,” Brewers executive vice president Rick Schlesinger said.

The Cubs could have a decided home-field advantage in the Brewers’ home park that is only 90 miles away. When they play Milwaukee on the road, the Cubs are often cheered by thousands of their own fans.

Tickets for the rescheduled game will range from $25 to $60. Only seats in the lower deck and loge levels will be available—there are no tickets for the upper deck and bleachers.

Houston had hoped to play the games at home, especially after going on a 38-16 run that pulled the Astros within 2 1/2 games of Milwaukee in the wild-card race.

The Cubs hold a six-game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central.

The Cubs, who had an outdoor workout at Wrigley Field washed out by rain Saturday, played well at Miller Park in their last appearance in late July. That’s when they swept four games from the Brewers, helping Chicago build its cushion in the NL Central.

The Astros came to Wrigley Field earlier this month and swept a three-game series from the Cubs.

The official announcement that the first two games would be moved came from the commissioner’s office Saturday night.

Hendry said earlier, before the announcement, that the Cubs were ready for any eventuality.

“I told our guys today to come to Wrigley tomorrow morning and be ready to go tomorrow night,” Hendry said.

“I certainly didn’t have a destination for them, but that’s what I told them at 3 o’clock today—that they had to be prepared to be ready and be on a bus and be bussed to the airport, or bussed to play elsewhere, and be ready to play. That’s how I had to approach it.”

As an Astros fan, this INFURIATES me! MLB can't find a place that's at least NEUTRAL? They end up sending Houston to Milwaukee - which is only 90 miles from Chicago - to be the "home" team in a crucial series. Poor job MLB! I know you can't plan for natural disasters, but you sure the F can find some other place to play that isn't in the visitor's backyard.

[ertl09]

very true

[I.R.B]

Sucks... Astros are hot at the moment and this just might throw some ice on them..

[Willie Bee]

Originally Posted by EaglesPhan36

As an Astros fan, this INFURIATES me! MLB can't find a place that's at least NEUTRAL? They end up sending Houston to Milwaukee - which is only 90 miles from Chicago - to be the "home" team in a crucial series. Poor job MLB! I know you can't plan for natural disasters, but you sure the F can find some other place to play that isn't in the visitor's backyard.

I'm with you, EP. In fact, one thing that got me about that AP story you quoted was the fact that nowhere in the article do you see any quote from an Astros executive or player. NOT ONE FCUKING PLACE!

I'm filing a petition for divorce from Major League Baseball today. After about a half-century of following the sport, this is the straw that breaks the camel's back with me.

[JC2008]

Crowds don't win games. I think they'll both split a game a piece.

[Mr KLC]

On top of that, I find it amazing that the league run by the owner FROM MILWAUKEE, is doing this with the TEAM FROM MILWAUKEE in the wildcard chase. I said yesterday that they should have done this in Arlington. Texas is on the road today, and they could have played the Monday game during the day. Hell, thy could have even done it in St Louis where most of the populaton hates the Cubs anyway.

[jagaf22]

Total BS

[Panic]

Got a big empty dome in San Antonio that fits 60,000. Just 3 hours from Houston. But, nope, they move it to Milwaukee.

[Willie Bee]

Originally Posted by Mr KLC

On top of that, I find it amazing that the league run by the owner FROM MILWAUKEE, is doing this with the TEAM FROM MILWAUKEE in the wildcard chase. I said yesterday that they should have done this in Arlington. Texas is on the road today, and they could have played the Monday game during the day. Hell, thy could have even done it in St Louis where most of the populaton hates the Cubs anyway.

Osama bud Selig no longer owns the Brewers, but you're right I believe in assuming he still at least has a rooting interest, if not some hidden financial interest, in the club.

[big joe 1212]

Originally Posted by Panic

Got a big empty dome in San Antonio that fits 60,000. Just 3 hours from Houston. But, nope, they move it to Milwaukee.

I dont think the Alamo Dome could host MLB, with the dimensions! Not much other choices out there! At least in Mil. those fans will be cheering for Astros!

[Mr KLC]

Originally Posted by big joe 1212

I dont think the Alamo Dome could host MLB, with the dimensions! Not much other choices out there! At least in Mil. those fans will be cheering for Astros!

Actually, with the Astros closer to the Brewers in the standings than the Cubs are, they'll probably be rooting for the Cubs.

[Panic]

Originally Posted by big joe 1212

I dont think the Alamo Dome could host MLB, with the dimensions! Not much other choices out there! At least in Mil. those fans will be cheering for Astros!

You may be right. Didnt even think about that. I know they moved the Saints here during Katrina and sold out every game.

[Willie Bee]

Originally Posted by big joe 1212

I dont think the Alamo Dome could host MLB, with the dimensions! Not much other choices out there! At least in Mil. those fans will be cheering for Astros!

You're probably right about the Alamo Dome not being a viable MLB stadium. But I disagree with your assessment of there not being other choices available. For one thing, they've said they aren't even going to sell Upper Deck or Bleacher seats at Miller Park, meaning they are leaving a good 40% or more of their seating empty. One suggestion was to play the games at Houston's currently vacant Triple-A park in Round Rock. You could've packed 15,000 into that place and given Houston a greater home field advantage for certain.

One more bit of info is I've read the seats at Miller will be priced between $25 and $60. Hmmm, just a season ago when they played an Indians-Mariners snow series there, the seats were all $10 and the entire stadium was open for seating. Not really sure who is setting those ticket prices or making the decision to keep part of the stadium empty, but it certainly is a curious decision.

[big joe 1212]

My bad, I forgot the Brews have been losing... ITS FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[big joe 1212]

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

You're probably right about the Alamo Dome not being a viable MLB stadium. But I disagree with your assessment of there not being other choices available. For one thing, they've said they aren't even going to sell Upper Deck or Bleacher seats at Miller Park, meaning they are leaving a good 40% or more of their seating empty. One suggestion was to play the games at Houston's currently vacant Triple-A park in Round Rock. You could've packed 15,000 into that place and given Houston a greater home field advantage for certain.

One more bit of info is I've read the seats at Miller will be priced between $25 and $60. Hmmm, just a season ago when they played an Indians-Mariners snow series there, the seats were all $10 and the entire stadium was open for seating. Not really sure who is setting those ticket prices or making the decision to keep part of the stadium empty, but it certainly is a curious decision.

Wow, hefty price! Over/ Under 1,500 attendence!

[Willie Bee]

Oh, and last time I saw a Cubs-Brewers series in Milwaukee this season, there were seemingly more Cubs fans on hand than Brewers judging by the noise. Not sure any Brewers fans will show up cheering for the Cubs, but they also aren't going to cheer for the Astros given the current situation.

[EaglesPhan36]

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

One suggestion was to play the games at Houston's currently vacant Triple-A park in Round Rock. You could've packed 15,000 into that place and given Houston a greater home field advantage for certain.

You & I are on the same page here. This was my FIRST thought when they talked about moving the game. Keep it in TX! What I really don't understand is why they couldn't just tack on these 3 games at the end of the regular season if they still had meaning.

[Mr KLC]

The Astros have done well against Zambrano the last couple of times, but I don't like how Randy Wolf has fared at Miller Park in his last 2 starts there. Hopefully it isn't the stadium, and he can shut the Cubs down like he did at Wrigley his last time out.

[Crayzee]

don't some of the big universities in texas have stadiums they couldve used?
or it had to be an mlb field?

[big joe 1212]

Originally Posted by EaglesPhan36

You & I are on the same page here. This was my FIRST thought when they talked about moving the game. Keep it in TX! What I really don't understand is why they couldn't just tack on these 3 games at the end of the regular season if they still had meaning.

It would interfere with the playoffs, they could do one day max! Thats why the Mets played a double header yesterday, and lost there gate money! The didnt want to add a day, tires out the pitchers, who you want fresh for the playoffs.

How did this AAA stadium hold up from the storm?

[BuddyBear]

MLB made the right decision....

[pavyracer]

Originally Posted by BuddyBear

MLB made the right decision....

They could have ignored the structural engineers assessment that the stadium needed to be thoroughly inspected before fans were allowed under the roof and buy everyone attending a million dollar life insurance.

That would have pleased the Astros fans.