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*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

Was good to see Palencia look sharp against 2 batters. Civale was ok too, gave up the dinger to Soto but looked pretty good otherwise. Sounds like Craig is going to get him some work regardless of the situation just to make sure he's ready for the playoffs. Boyd looked good but started to tire a bit after 4 it felt like and was not as sharp but I feel a little better about him possibly making a playoff start after that. Just rest him up now. A lot is riding on if Horton is going to be ok. If Horton is ok then the debate is who starts a potential game 3 of the WC series between Boyd and Taillon.

We're going to need to see Tucker play a few games here this week to show he's healthy IMO. Sounds like that could happen Friday but the long downtime is concerning if he's going to be healthy enough to make an impact. I guess if he can play you have to take your chances. If he is a go for the playoffs I dunno if Mo Baller gets a roster spot as where is he going to get AB other than a pinch hit? He can't play the field and they likely will carry an extra pitcher so he could get squeezed out.

Also good to see Busch heating up at the right time.
 
CYdTracked said:
Was good to see Palencia look sharp against 2 batters. Civale was ok too, gave up the dinger to Soto but looked pretty good otherwise. Sounds like Craig is going to get him some work regardless of the situation just to make sure he's ready for the playoffs. Boyd looked good but started to tire a bit after 4 it felt like and was not as sharp but I feel a little better about him possibly making a playoff start after that. Just rest him up now. A lot is riding on if Horton is going to be ok. If Horton is ok then the debate is who starts a potential game 3 of the WC series between Boyd and Taillon.

We're going to need to see Tucker play a few games here this week to show he's healthy IMO. Sounds like that could happen Friday but the long downtime is concerning if he's going to be healthy enough to make an impact. I guess if he can play you have to take your chances. If he is a go for the playoffs I dunno if Mo Baller gets a roster spot as where is he going to get AB other than a pinch hit? He can't play the field and they likely will carry an extra pitcher so he could get squeezed out.

Also good to see Busch heating up at the right time.
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If Horton is all good, I'm hoping we go:
Game 1- Horton
Game 2- Shota
Game 3- Taillon

Just feel way better about Taillon's last month than Boyd's, but if we get through the WC series, then I feel decent about Boyd starting game 1 with a little more rest.

Craig pretty much said Ballasteros will get a roster spot for his bat last night in the postgame, I haven't looked at the roster enough to see what that looks like.

All I know is it's fun to be talking Cubs postseason baseball stuff again!
 
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cyfanatic13 said:
If Horton is all good, I'm hoping we go:
Game 1- Horton
Game 2- Shota
Game 3- Taillon

Just feel way better about Taillon's last month than Boyd's, but if we get through the WC series, then I feel decent about Boyd starting game 1 with a little more rest.

Craig pretty much said Ballasteros will get a roster spot for his bat last night in the postgame, I haven't looked at the roster enough to see what that looks like.

All I know is it's fun to be talking Cubs postseason baseball stuff again!
Click to expand...
Bench is going to be:

Castro
Ballesteros
McGuire
Turner
Hamilton or Amaya depending on health
 
1UNI2ISU said:
Bench is going to be:

Castro
Ballesteros
McGuire
Turner
Hamilton or Amaya depending on health
Click to expand...

I was about to complain about having four bench guys who mainly catch and play 1B (if it's Amaya over Hamilton), but it's not like we have a lot of other options.

Castro is the only utility bench guy we have on the 40-man, but our starting DH (Seiya) can play solid OF, our starting 1B (Busch) can play 2B or 3B, Turner can play 3B if needed, and Nico and Shaw can play all over the infield. That makes it easier to carry a bench full of bats

Other people on the 40-man are Santana, Alcantara, and Caissie. The Cubs can essentially grab anyone who was in the organization on Aug 31, but Hamilton is likely the only option for a non-roster position player -- barring a need for an emergency utility infielder if there are injuries (Nicky Lopez, perhaps). None of the more recent DFA utility infielders are still in the org -- Brujan was claimed by the Orioles, Berti was released, and Cowles was claimed by the White Sox.
 
The only positive I can really say is that starting pitchers in the playoffs just do not stay in the game long. The average has been like <4.5IP per start in the playoffs the last several years. The Cubs pitching staff is a little goofy/unique in how many guys they have that I'd feel "ok" with going 2-3 innings but not longer, so it'll be a game-by-game puzzle to solve.

So without Horton, you're likely going Imanaga/Taillon/Boyd for the WC series and then you've got the group of Assad/Rea/Civale/Soroka who all can be in a multi-inning swingman role. Then you'll have all the current short relief guys, Palencia/Keller/Kittredge/Thielbar/Rogers/Pomeranz.

Ultimately though, it's going to have to be the offense that carries them at this point. A healthy Tucker and a more 1st half of the year caliber offense is necessary for a deep run.
 
Are we assuming that we'll go with a 13/13 split and not a 12/14 split carrying an extra pitcher? I know it's a short series in the WC round but having an extra bat on the bench vs extra arm in the bullpen when we are thin for bench options for that 4th spot. I don't see Craig getting too crazy with his lineups and using the bench much in a short series. Hamilton would have to be added to the 40 man which DFA Santana is the logical move and then he's strictly a pinch run off the bench if he does make the postseason roster and I can't imagine they'd let him take an AB.



This
 
The only way Hamilton is eligible is to transfer a guy from the 15 day to the 60 day. That's the reason they've kept Brasier instead of DFAing him previously.

I do think they'll go 12 pitchers/14 position players for the wild card round.
 
CYdTracked said:
Are we assuming that we'll go with a 13/13 split and not a 12/14 split carrying an extra pitcher? I know it's a short series in the WC round but having an extra bat on the bench vs extra arm in the bullpen when we are thin for bench options for that 4th spot. I don't see Craig getting too crazy with his lineups and using the bench much in a short series. Hamilton would have to be added to the 40 man which DFA Santana is the logical move and then he's strictly a pinch run off the bench if he does make the postseason roster and I can't imagine they'd let him take an AB.



This
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Is it allowed to carry 14 pitchers?
 
Probably on the NLWC roster barring injury:

Starting/Swing Pitchers:
  • Boyd (LHP)
  • Horton (RHP)
  • Imanaga (LHP)
  • Taillon (RHP)
  • Rea (RHP)
Relief Pitchers:
  • Keller (RHP)
  • Kittridge (RHP)
  • Palencia (RHP)
  • Pomeranz (LHP)
  • Thielbar (LHP)
Catchers
  • Kelly (R)
  • McGuire (L)
  • Ballesteros (L) -- primarily DH/PH
Infielders
  • Busch (L)
  • Hoerner (R)
  • Shaw (R)
  • Swanson (R)
Outfielders
  • Castro (S) -- IF-OF utility
  • PCA (L)
  • Happ (S)
  • Suzuki (R) -- starting DH
  • Tucker (L)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's 10 pitchers and 12 position players. Possibilities for the final four slots (including up to three pitchers):

Pitchers:
  • Assad (RHP)
  • Brown (RHP)
  • Civale (RHP)
  • Rogers (LHP)
  • Soroka (RHP)
  • Wicks (LHP)
Rogers hasn't been great for the Cubs, but I doubt they want a bullpen with no lefty and he's probably a better option than Wicks. EDIT: Pomeranz and Thielbar are both lefties. Fixed.

Civale and Soroka have been ok in their limited time with the Cubs. I imagine they'll be included.

If it turns out Horton can't pitch in the NLWC and Taillon needs to be a starter, I can see bringing along Assad, but I can also see sticking with only 12 pitchers.

Position Players:
  • Alcantara (R)
  • Amaya (R)
  • Caissie (L)
  • Hamilton (doesn't hit)
  • Santana (S)
  • Turner (R)
Turner is probably on the roster. It seems like Santana was brought in to possibly take his place, but nothing has happened in September to make that seem likely.

If we carry 14 position players, I don't think Hamilton makes much sense; he's just not the speed demon he used to be. He's only 3-5 in stolen bases at Iowa, and I saw video of two of his successful attempts -- they were pretty close. If you really want an extra bench guy with speed, Alcantara is probably about the same and can actually field plus hit a little.
 
Last edited:
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mred said:
Probably on the NLWC roster barring injury:

Starting/Swing Pitchers:
  • Boyd (LHP)
  • Horton (RHP)
  • Imanaga (LHP)
  • Taillon (RHP)
  • Rea (RHP)
Relief Pitchers:
  • Keller (RHP)
  • Kittridge (RHP)
  • Palencia (RHP)
  • Pomeranz (RHP)
  • Thielbar (RHP)
Catchers
  • Kelly (R)
  • McGuire (L)
  • Ballesteros (L) -- primarily DH/PH
Infielders
  • Busch (L)
  • Hoerner (R)
  • Shaw (R)
  • Swanson (R)
Outfielders
  • Castro (S) -- IF-OF utility
  • PCA (L)
  • Happ (S)
  • Suzuki (R) -- starting DH
  • Tucker (L)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's 10 pitchers and 12 position players. Possibilities for the final four slots (including up to three pitchers):

Pitchers:
  • Assad (RHP)
  • Brown (RHP)
  • Civale (RHP)
  • Rogers (LHP)
  • Soroka (RHP)
  • Wicks (LHP)
Rogers hasn't been great for the Cubs, but I doubt they want a bullpen with no lefty and he's probably a better option than Wicks.

Civale and Soroka have been ok in their limited time with the Cubs. I imagine they'll be included.

If it turns out Horton can't pitch in the NLWC and Taillon needs to be a starter, I can see bringing along Assad, but I can also see sticking with only 12 pitchers.

Position Players:
  • Alcantara (R)
  • Amaya (R)
  • Caissie (L)
  • Hamilton (doesn't hit)
  • Santana (S)
  • Turner (R)
Turner is probably on the roster. It seems like Santana was brought in to possibly take his place, but nothing has happened in September to make that seem likely.

If we carry 14 position players, I don't think Hamilton makes much sense; he's just not the speed demon he used to be. He's only 3-5 in stolen bases at Iowa, and I saw video of two of his successful attempts -- they were pretty close. If you really want an extra bench guy with speed, Alcantara is probably about the same and can actually field plus hit a little.
Click to expand...
Thielbar and Pomeranz are both lefties.
 
mred said:
Probably on the NLWC roster barring injury:

Starting/Swing Pitchers:
  • Boyd (LHP)
  • Horton (RHP)
  • Imanaga (LHP)
  • Taillon (RHP)
  • Rea (RHP)
Relief Pitchers:
  • Keller (RHP)
  • Kittridge (RHP)
  • Palencia (RHP)
  • Pomeranz (RHP)
  • Thielbar (RHP)
Catchers
  • Kelly (R)
  • McGuire (L)
  • Ballesteros (L) -- primarily DH/PH
Infielders
  • Busch (L)
  • Hoerner (R)
  • Shaw (R)
  • Swanson (R)
Outfielders
  • Castro (S) -- IF-OF utility
  • PCA (L)
  • Happ (S)
  • Suzuki (R) -- starting DH
  • Tucker (L)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's 10 pitchers and 12 position players. Possibilities for the final four slots (including up to three pitchers):

Pitchers:
  • Assad (RHP)
  • Brown (RHP)
  • Civale (RHP)
  • Rogers (LHP)
  • Soroka (RHP)
  • Wicks (LHP)
Rogers hasn't been great for the Cubs, but I doubt they want a bullpen with no lefty and he's probably a better option than Wicks.

Civale and Soroka have been ok in their limited time with the Cubs. I imagine they'll be included.

If it turns out Horton can't pitch in the NLWC and Taillon needs to be a starter, I can see bringing along Assad, but I can also see sticking with only 12 pitchers.

Position Players:
  • Alcantara (R)
  • Amaya (R)
  • Caissie (L)
  • Hamilton (doesn't hit)
  • Santana (S)
  • Turner (R)
Turner is probably on the roster. It seems like Santana was brought in to possibly take his place, but nothing has happened in September to make that seem likely.

If we carry 14 position players, I don't think Hamilton makes much sense; he's just not the speed demon he used to be. He's only 3-5 in stolen bases at Iowa, and I saw video of two of his successful attempts -- they were pretty close. If you really want an extra bench guy with speed, Alcantara is probably about the same and can actually field plus hit a little.
Click to expand...
That’s a sweep in WC series
 
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