Cubs Face Tough Decisions Amid Wild-Card Battle

The National League wild-card race poses tough pitching decisions for the Chicago Cubs. Facing the Miami Marlins, the Cubs had a prime chance to clinch a playoff berth Tuesday night. They needed either a win or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss to secure their spot. However, the Cubs lost 8-2 in 12 innings, missing several opportunities in the 10th inning. Matt Shaw’s failure to execute a bunt against Marlins reliever Jack Ralston left runners stranded, a costly mistake. Ian Happ followed with a deep fly that could have been a game-winner if Shaw’s bunt had succeeded. Despite Nico Hoerner’s two-out walk and Pedro Ramírez’s full count, a sharp grounder ended their hopes.

Shaw commented, “These are the moments that you prepare for. Experience like this is going to help for the next time.” In the 12th inning, the Cubs fell apart, allowing six Marlins runs, including three charged to Edward Cabrera. The Cubs’ 1-for-18 performance with runners in scoring position highlighted a missed opportunity, especially given other wild-card contenders’ outcomes. The loss, combined with the Phillies’ win over the Brewers and the Padres’ loss to the Dodgers, leaves the Cubs in a three-way tie for the wild card with five games left.

An added pressure is aligning the starting pitchers for potential postseason play. Shota Imanaga delivered a strong performance, holding the Marlins to one run in five innings without walks or home runs, while striking out seven. Imanaga’s September ERA stands at 1.96, with only two walks and no home runs over four starts. “I feel good and healthy,” Imanaga said, reflecting on improvements over his three-year MLB career.

Kevin Gausman is set to pitch Wednesday, while Thursday’s starter remains undecided. The team needs to finalize pitching lineups for their final regular-season series against the Red Sox. Complicating matters, a nor’easter forecast for Boston could disrupt schedules with heavy rain. Manager Craig Counsell suggested a rotation change is possible, yet emphasized the importance of focusing on winning the next games. Adjustments must be made cautiously due to limited flexibility, as the wild-card series starts Tuesday with only one off day.

Weather disruptions or an extended regular season into Monday could strain pitching plans. “As we get closer, we’ll make better decisions,” Counsell said, considering both rain forecasts and upcoming matchups.

Strategy may rely on the wild-card opponent, such as facing the Phillies, who feature heavy left-handed hitters like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. A lefty-strong rotation could help neutralize these threats, though commitments might be required before the opponent is known. This planning complexity results from a recent 7-8 record over two weeks, failing to distance themselves from competitors.

The weekend may see the return of left-handed Justin Steele. Absent from the majors since April 2025, Steele is slated for a Wednesday bullpen session. His return would necessitate 40-man roster adjustments and activation procedures. “Steele’s last outing was promising,” Counsell noted, acknowledging more factors to address before finalizing roster decisions. These considerations remain critical as the Cubs approach pivotal matches in their postseason pursuit.