Chicago Cubs Prepare for Postseason Rematch Against Padres

The Chicago Cubs are relying on left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to begin their postseason. Boyd will start Game 1 in their wild-card series against the San Diego Padres, taking the mound at Petco Park. This mirrors his role in last year’s series opener when he held the Padres to one run over 4 1/3 innings at Wrigley Field. Although right-hander Kevin Gausman was an option, the Cubs chose Boyd for the start.

Manager Craig Counsell praised Boyd’s consistency after a rough start to the season and expressed confidence in his experience in playoff settings. Post-surgery, Boyd achieved a 3.42 ERA over his final 17 starts, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 12 outings.

The Cubs’ starting rotation for later games remains undecided. Gausman, recovering from a shoulder injury, is likely to pitch during the series but was not ready for Tuesday. The team expects to include 12 pitchers on the roster, with left-hander Shota Imanaga potentially playing a significant role, whether as a starter or reliever. Right-hander Clay Holmes is also expected to contribute despite recent struggles. The best-of-three series enables Counsell to utilize his pitchers in various roles, seeking strategic matchups. As Counsell stated, “We’ve got to figure out how to get 27 outs.”

The Cubs must win two of three games to progress. A loss on Tuesday would make Game 2 on Wednesday crucial. Counsell emphasized the importance of winning, regardless of aesthetics, noting the shift in strategy from a 162-game season to a short series.

Playing at Petco Park presents an additional challenge for the Cubs. The Padres boast a strong home record of 51-30 this season, compared to their 40-41 away record. Alex Bregman’s health remains a question, affecting whether he’ll start at third base or serve as designated hitter due to recovering from multiple facial fractures. His fast recovery adds strength to the lineup.

Cubs player Pete Crow-Armstrong commented on Bregman’s return, highlighting his determination and love for the game despite the severity of his injuries. “He lives for this kind of baseball,” Crow-Armstrong remarked.