Torrential rain forced Major League Baseball to postpone Tuesday’s NLDS Game 4 between the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals by 24 hours, the league confirmed on Tuesday.
The Cubs had been looking to lock up the best-of-five series with victory after taking a 2-1 lead over the Nationals at Wrigley Field on Monday.
But steady rain over Chicago delayed the start of Game 4 and with no let-up, league officials pushed back the game.
The Cubs will stick with scheduled starter Jake Arrieta for Game 4 regardless, instead of Game 1 starter Kyle Hendricks, manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday afternoon.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker is also staying with his scheduled starter Tanner Roark, instead of Game 1 starter Stephen Strasburg - who would be on regular rest - in a rather stunning move. But apparently Strasburg is under the weather and didn’t get his usual prep work in.
Strasburg was phenomenal in Game 1 for the Nationals, flirting with a no-hitter until the sixth inning, and giving up just three hits, two unearned runs and striking out 10 over seven innings.
Should the Nationals force a Game 5, Strasburg will pitch with a squad of arms in relief, including Game 3 starter Max Scherzer.
Despite the delay, any fifth game in the series would still take place today. The winner of the series will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in California on Saturday in the opening game of the National League Championship Series.
Chicago Cubs grounds crew roll out the tarp before game four of the 2017 NLDS playoff baseball series against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. (USA TODAY Sports)
