The final day of the regular season on Sunday will provide much-needed clarity for the Chicago Cubs. This day will confirm their opponents in the wild-card series starting Tuesday and reveal their pitching plans for the opening round.
The primary concern surrounds right-hander Kevin Gausman. His status for the wild-card series relies on his performance in a significant bullpen session scheduled for Sunday at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida. Gausman left Wednesday’s game in the sixth inning due to a left shoulder injury sustained while tagging a Miami Marlins runner. The impact on his shoulder, which he dislocated in high school, raised concerns.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell stated they continue to monitor Gausman’s condition. He has not undergone any imaging on the shoulder. Gausman played catch on Friday but experienced soreness, making Sunday’s assessment crucial for evaluating his readiness.
“Don’t worry about who’s going to start, worry about how we’re going to get 27 outs,” Counsell remarked on their postseason pitching strategies. He emphasized the need for strong performances from his pitchers.
Gausman’s recent outings have been inconsistent, switching between strong and challenging starts. He pitched into the sixth inning and allowed two runs in his last two starts. His experience, including a postseason run to the World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays last year, would be important for the Cubs. However, Gausman expressed uncertainty about being ready for the start of the playoffs.
“The next two days are pretty important,” Gausman admitted. “I doubt we’ll be ready next week, but I’ll do everything I can to be prepared when needed. It’s frustrating, given how healthy I’ve been throughout my career.” He noted that despite it being his non-throwing shoulder, it affects the fluidity of his delivery, which relies on stability from his left side.
If Gausman is unavailable for the wild-card round or Game 1, left-hander Matthew Boyd might step up. Shota Imanaga could also play a role, depending on Sunday’s regular-season game. Right-hander Clay Holmes is expected for Game 2 on Wednesday or, if necessary, Game 3 on Thursday. Left-hander David Peterson has also been effective and might be used from the bullpen.
The Cubs are considering numerous rotation scenarios. “This is the time of year to be at your best,” Peterson noted after his Friday start. “You don’t always know if you’ll start or pitch from the bullpen in playoffs, so sharpen your skills and offer the best. Making tough decisions is a good problem to have.” His focus is on providing a strong position for the team, with all options available for Counsell.