After Cubs drop both games of twin bill, they turn attention to pitching plans

BOSTON -- It has been a whirlwind two days for the Cubs, who popped champagne in a wild scene at Wrigley Field on Thursday before hopping on the team plane to jet to Fenway Park for a doubleheader with the Red Sox on Friday. And Chicago’s chaotic schedule is just getting started.

“Just tell us where to play, we’ll play,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ll show up and play.”

Well, following being swept in Friday’s twin bill -- Chicago dropped a 4-3 decision in the opener and then lost, 2-0, in the nightcap -- the Cubs and Red Sox are now flying south to play Game 162 on Sunday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to avoid the nor’easter that is shipping up to Boston this weekend.

Originally, the Cubs and Red Sox were going to play on Saturday, but now that is an unexpected off-day ahead of their respective Wild Card Series. For the North Siders, it gives Counsell a day to assess the standings and plot out some final regular-season pitching plans ahead of the playoffs’ first round.

“Don’t worry about who’s going to start,” Counsell said. “Worry about how we’re going to get 27 outs. Really, that’s what’s the biggest thing we’ve got to get through, and we need guys throwing the ball well to do that.”

With the two losses in Boston, the Cubs fell two games back of the Padres for the top Wild Card spot, pending the outcome of San Diego’s late game against the D-backs. The Cubs have a half-game lead over the Phillies, who lost to the Rays on Friday.

There are multiple ways the Cubs could go with their rotation.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Cubs righty Clay Holmes said. “There’s a lot of different looks. Fastball, offspeed, we all have our kind of unique way to get outs. And so, I think it’s just there’s a lot of options and a lot of really good pitchers. I think we’re all prepared just to go and take the ball when our name’s called and give everything we have.”

Holmes (Game 1) and lefty David Peterson (Game 2) took the ball in Friday’s doubleheader, making both of them options as early as Game 2 (Wednesday) of the Cubs’ upcoming Wild Card Series on regular rest. As things stand, veteran lefty Matthew Boyd, who started the playoff clincher on Thursday, looks lined up to take the ball in Game 1 on Tuesday.

Veteran righty Kevin Gausman -- like Holmes, acquired at the Trade Deadline -- would technically be available for any one of the three Wild Card games, given that he pitched on Wednesday. His availability is currently unclear, though. Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in his most recent outing on a defensive play and is day to day with the issue.​

“He threw today,” Counsell said of Gausman. “He’s still a little bit sore, so we’ve got to keep monitoring that. Sunday will be a big day for that.”

Lefty Shota Imanaga last pitched on Tuesday, and the Cubs will have to make a decision on whether he takes the ball in Sunday’s season finale, or if he should be held back for the playoffs. The latter scenario would also make him a possibility to take the ball in any one of the three Wild Card games.

Overall, Chicago’s rotation has also been on a nice roll as the playoffs approach, compiling a 3.00 ERA as a unit (26 earned runs in 78 innings) in the 14 games dating back to Sept. 11.

Peterson turned in five scoreless innings in the second game on Friday to lower his ERA to 1.27 over his past four turns for Chicago. Imanaga has logged a 1.96 ERA in his past four outings, giving up only one homer in 23 innings in that span. Boyd has turned in a solid 3.28 ERA in his past six appearances.

Gausman’s two most recent starts were solid (he pitched into the sixth and allowed only two runs in each game), but has endured some peaks and valleys since joining Chicago. Holmes got off to a great start with the team (1.55 ERA in five August turns), but has struggled more in September (8.24 ERA in four games) with uncharacteristic walk issues (15 in 19 2/3 frames).

That all gives Counsell and the Cubs’ pitching group plenty to consider, while weighing it against the potential opponent in the first round.

“I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this rotation,” Peterson said, “when I first got here, and how it turned out after the Deadline and how we’ve kind of shaped up going into the playoffs. Every guy has raised the bar and gotten ready for what’s next. It’s a good problem to have to make tough decisions.

“I think that’s our job, is just give everything we have, and put the team from a starting position in a good spot. All hands on deck.”