The Cubs followed up a night game Thursday with a rainout Friday, which would have paid out big-time if you had a parlay on the unlikeliest combination of back-to-back Cactus League games of the preseason. In any case, they’re back home in what should be better conditions to host a Mariners that could be exciting if they actually choose to try. They might have the best starting rotation in baseball, though that took a little hit when George Kirby was shut down due to shoulder inflammation.
Even if Kirby is able to come back quickly and they avoid the injury bug the rest of the way, everyone saw what happened last year when they remained passive at the deadline.