CHICAGO _ There were plenty of empty seats at Wrigley Field for Tuesday's first game of a split doubleheader between the Cubs and Dodgers, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon sympathizes with fans who are upset they can't attend the rescheduled game, albeit for a different reason.
"My only complaint is the split doubleheader," Maddon said. "I don't like it. I don't think it's a good idea. To be here for a noon game and then a 7 o'clock game, that's wrong. I don't think there's one player, manager, coach who thinks it's a good idea."
Tuesday's first game was added after Monday night's game was postponed because of forecasted inclement weather, as well as three banks of lights that were out but have since been fixed.
"I'm not opposed to the doubleheader, but just play it concurrently," Maddon said. "That gives the body a break. That permits us to have a more reasonable day, whereas guys are going to be here from 9 a.m. to probably midnight with the day game (Wednesday).
"I'm not crying. It's just true. So it works for both sides. The Dodgers have to do the same thing. I'm not just talking about us. I'd just prefer a different method over the split doubleheader to appease when the game was rained out like it was last night."
The split doubleheader allows home teams to maximize their full gate receipts as well as clean the ballpark between games. Some teams, such as the White Sox, have played straight doubleheaders that Maddon prefers.
Ticket holders to Monday's postponement had the option of using their ticket for Tuesday's first game or exchanging their ticket for another 2018 regular season home game, subject to availability, by noon.
