*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

I would go Assad/Rea, Boyd, Taillon and figure it out from there.

Can't justify short rest for any of our guys, imo. Much rather have Assad than Boyd on short rest.
I didn't realize, but based on websites looks like Assad isn't on Wildcard Series roster.

Thought it was interesting Counsell got Soroko a couple batters yesterday. Playoff baseball tends to lean on velocity- so I could see Soroko get multiple innings if Taillon only goes 2-3 innings.

But Cubs don't have any "overworked arm" concerns. Other than Imanaga & Boyd- the other 11 arms could go 1+ innings.
 
I didn't realize, but based on websites looks like Assad isn't on Wildcard Series roster.

Thought it was interesting Counsell got Soroko a couple batters yesterday. Playoff baseball tends to lean on velocity- so I could see Soroko get multiple innings if Taillon only goes 2-3 innings.

But Cubs don't have any "overworked arm" concerns. Other than Imanaga & Boyd- the other 11 arms could go 1+ innings.
The only reason he was not on the WC Roster is because he pitched Sunday.
 
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im feeling very, very pessimistic

I'm not confident, but was never going to be until the Cubs got the 27th out of their 2nd win. Hoping that the bats can get some action early and Taillion can keep their bats in check. Wind looks to be blowing out to left, so....
 
Yes. The Cubs went with 12 pitchers and 14 position players for the short series. If they win today, they probably bring Assad to the NLDS and drop Alcantara.
If anything, I would think the Wildcard Round format might dictate more pitchers- 3 games in 3 days.

The next round, the Cubs would play: Sat, Mon, Wed, Thu & Sat. So carrying 13 seems less needed. Game 1/2 starters get 4 days rest for games 4/5. 3 potential off days if it goes 7.

The way PCA is hitting and his frustration level- Alcantara or Castro might NEED to be platoon bats against lefty starters or later inning PH situations.
 
I would like to see Happ in the 6 hole and move everyone else up one spot, but I guess it doesn't really matter now.

My guess is that CC wants to make sure that 3 of the lefties see Darvish twice. Darvish will have a quick hook in this one. He is only in there for probably 9 to 12 outs no matter how he does. Darvish is a short bridge to the bullpen.
 
I would like to see Happ in the 6 hole and move everyone else up one spot, but I guess it doesn't really matter now.

My guess is that CC wants to make sure that 3 of the lefties see Darvish twice. Darvish will have a quick hook in this one. He is only in there for probably 9 to 12 outs no matter how he does. Darvish is a short bridge to the bullpen.
NEED to get the runs early.
 
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im feeling very, very pessimistic

Outside of the first two months, I've been pessimistic about this team's ability to hit good pitching. I'm trying to tell myself that the odds the Cubs get blanked two days in a row is pretty low. And that your supposed best players on the team can't be non-existent for 3 straight games, right?
 
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