The Chicago Cubs are preparing for their first playoff appearance in five years, ready to face the San Diego Padres in a closely watched best-of-three series. As they approach this critical stage, the Cubs must strategically balance their lineup to handle minimal downtime after the regular season and prepare for potential challenges against the Padres.
The Cubs are expected to field a roster comprising 14 position players and 12 pitchers for the series. This blend aims to provide enough depth and flexibility to adapt to the unpredictable nature of playoff baseball.
Starting Pitchers: Matthew Boyd is confirmed as the Game 1 starter, reflecting the club’s confidence in his performance. Game 2’s starter remains undecided, but it’s likely that Colin Rea or Jameson Taillon will be available for a long-relief role if necessary.
Bullpen: The bullpen will be tested, especially in Horton’s absence from the rotation. Key pitchers include Aaron Civale, with a recent ERA of 2.08, Brad Keller with a low September ERA of 0.96, and Michael Soroka, who has impressed since returning from injury. Additionally, Palencia has shown promise, highlighting potential options for late-inning save opportunities.
Catchers: The lineup features Moises Ballesteros, Carson Kelly, and Reese McGuire, each bringing unique skills to the plate. Ballesteros, in particular, stands out with a formidable .333/.435/.564 slash line and two September home runs, making him a potentially critical asset.
Infielders: Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw, Dansby Swanson, and Justin Turner form a solid infield unit. Turner is expected to provide strategic depth against left-handed relieving options from the Padres.
Outfielders: The Cubs face decisions in the outfield, with Pete Crow-Armstrong poised to start in center field and Ian Happ in left. Kyle Tucker’s role remains flexible as he continues rehabilitation from a calf injury. Kevin Alcantara and Willi Castro add essential versatility and backup options.
Roster Decisions: Javier Assad and Carlos Santana, along with Jordan Wicks, are not included in this roster iteration. Assad and Wicks recently played in the regular season’s concluding games, impacting their availability for the upcoming series. Santana will be on the team’s taxi squad, ready if adjustments are needed.
The Cubs’ preparation for this playoff series emphasizes the need for both strong pitching and tactical offensive play. Underlying this preparation is the anticipation of a hard-fought series against the Padres, with the potential for breakout performances and strategic maneuvers that will define their postseason journey.