DENVER _ Cubs manager Joe Maddon summed up the feelings of most of his players as they reported to rainy Coors Field on Monday afternoon, about 10 hours after arriving at their hotel.
"You feel like you have that hangover without the benefits of actually drinking," Maddon joked. "It's one of those things you've got to fight through in our business."
The Cubs didn't get to their hotel until after 5 a.m. following Sunday night's 18-inning loss to the Yankees. But they caught a break when Monday night's game against the Rockies was postponed because of rain after a 1-hour, 16-minute delay and was rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader Tuesday.
Jake Arrieta will pitch the first game, scheduled to start at 1:10 p.m., followed by John Lackey in the regularly scheduled game at 7:40 p.m.
"When you go to Colorado, you're hoping to have some kind of a rested bullpen," Maddon said about three hours before the postponement. His relievers had thrown 19 2/3 innings the previous two nights.
For first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the soreness in his left forearm _ which was hit by a 99 mph fastball from Aroldis Chapman to force in the tying run Sunday _ wasn't acute enough to sideline him. Rizzo was scheduled to start Monday.
"It's sore, but it's not any more sore than any other pitch I've been hit with," Rizzo said.
The swelling had subsided considerably, and X-rays on Sunday night were negative.
Rizzo's next mission is to stay patient with his stance and approach after getting hit by the game's hardest thrower in the midst of a 3-for-29 slump that has dropped his batting average to .224.
"It's part of that season, part of the grind. You don't feel good all the time," said Rizzo, who hit .370 (17-for-46) during a 12-game hitting streak that ended April 23.
"Ten days ago, everyone was saying, 'What are you doing differently?' I'm not doing anything different now. It's just not going the way you want. That's why the season doesn't end in May, and you've got to take the big picture and keep the little things and it will all turn."
Rizzo doesn't plan to back off the plate, even after he got jammed several times during the homestand.
"Every game I make an adjustment, good or bad," Rizzo said. "Will I do anything drastic? No. It's just getting back on time and ready to hit."
The rainout allowed the Cubs to catch up on rest after Sunday's 6-hour, 5-minute game, followed by a two-hour flight.
Maddon was careful not to make excuses or declarations after the Cubs played their second consecutive Sunday night game followed by a trip.
Maddon also said changing rules to prevent or limit extra-inning games would be overreacting.
Rizzo, however, said he talked with someone regarding alternatives to lengthy extra-inning games, including ties.
"It's crazy," said Rizzo, an avid Miami Dolphins fan. "Every overtime or extra time in sports is so exciting except baseball. It drags and drags.
"Whereas you have the NBA overtime and NHL overtime. The NFL (overtime) is so exciting, and baseball is a little 'meh.' Who knows what they'll do?"
