The Cubs announced Monday morning that Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds will start at 6:10 p.m., a half hour earlier than the scheduled 6:40 p.m. start, due to a forecast of storms later in the evening.
The Cubs have won five straight overall, and 11 in a row at Wrigley Field, after sweeping Arizona three straight over the weekend. They took over sole possession of first place in the National League Central on Saturday, and have now opened a two-game lead over the Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.
The Reds had begun the weekend in first place, the first time since 2006 they had entered May in first place, but were swept three straight by the Pirates in Pittsburgh prior to their arrival here.
The National Weather Service forecast this morning calls for thunderstorms to develop along and south of a cold front late this afternoon and evening. Strong to locally damaging winds will be the main hazard with the strongest storms, but a few storms may produce hail as well.