Marlins officials livid over postponement vs. Mets

Miami Marlins officials weren't happy that the team's Tuesday night game against the New York Mets at Citi Field was postponed, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Per Rosenthal's report, officials were "furious" over the decision.

"The last rain from Tropical Storm Ophelia stopped around 5 p.m., but despite efforts by the Mets' grounds crew to make the field playable, the game was called shortly after 8 p.m.," Rosenthal wrote. "For the Marlins, who currently trail the Cubs by a half-game for the third NL wild-card spot, the rescheduling of the game as part of a doubleheader Wednesday could have major implications."

The senior writer explained that lefty Braxton Garrett, the team's "best remaining starter," was slated to pitch on Tuesday and will now take the bump for game one on Wednesday, "leaving him unable to start Sunday’s season finale unless he returns on three days rest."

The Marlins are planning on a bullpen game for Wednesday's nightcap and will throw fellow southpaw Jesus Luzardo in the series finale against the Mets on Thursday. MLB.com lists all three Miami probable pitchers for this weekend's season-closing series on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates as "TBD," while ESPN has hard-throwing righthander Edward Cabrera going on Saturday and Garrett coming back on short rest on Sunday.

Marlins ace and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara has been on the injured list since early September with a right UCL strain and recently said that he wouldn't be pitching again this year.

20-year-old righty Eury Perez is on the 15-day IL due to left SI joint inflammation and is out for the rest of the regular season.

According to Rosenthal's report, Marlins officials were told "the problem with the playing surface at Citi Field arose because the Mets’ grounds crew did not cover the infield Saturday, the first of four straight days of rain."

New York was playing on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies at the time.

"The grounds crew eventually put the tarp down, but water got under it, creating a mess. The infield took on so much water from Saturday to Monday, the grounds crew did not have enough of a dry period to get the infield back to a playable condition Tuesday," the report said. "Both clubs and the commissioner’s office then determined the best course of action was to postpone, citing player safety and the importance of the game."