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.
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 and Phillies are currently tied, pending Philadelphia’s result against 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.
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.