Joe Maddon Lobbies For Cubs To Do Away With 3:05 P.M. Starts

(CBS) The Cubs have played a bevy of home games this season that started at 3:05 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. If manager Joe Maddon had his way, they wouldn't.

Considering every angle to put the best team on the field he can, Maddon has lobbied to Cubs brass to do away with 3:05 p.m. starts in the future, he told the Chicago Tribune. Most players share the same view as Maddon does, as they'd rather have the same routine every day.

"I definitely had that talk with the guys upstairs," Maddon said, according to the Tribune. "It's awkward. I'm not going to deny it's awkward. You get used to playing at 1 p.m. or 6 or 7 (p.m.).

"Hopefully that's something we can work our way through. I know I don't have any influence on that right now. I'm not even trying to influence that. But it's something to discuss moving forward."

Early in the season, many Friday games at Wrigley Field started at 1:20 p.m., which is typically the start time for getaway-day games as well (usually on Thursdays and Sundays when a series finale is played). As summer rolled around, there have been more 3:05 p.m. starts.

The Cubs' business department is a fan of the 3:05 p.m. starts, the Tribune reported, because it's a reason for fans to take work off early and they draw well.

The Cubs negotiated with the city two years ago to get six 3:05 p.m. starts on Fridays, Crain's Chicago Business writer Danny Ecker reported.