Cubs weigh Wild Card rotation as Gausman shoulder decision nears

Friday's two losses in Boston settled the Cubs' regular-season doubleheader, but they did not settle who will pitch the opening games of the National League Wild Card Series. Chicago has a Saturday off day before its relocated season finale Sunday, and manager Craig Counsell must decide how much of his rotation to use in that last game.

MLB's postgame report says right-hander Kevin Gausman threw Friday but was still sore in his left, non-throwing shoulder. He hurt it while making a defensive play Wednesday. Counsell said Sunday would be an important day to reassess him. That is a medical and availability check, not an announcement that Gausman will start or miss the postseason.

The calendar creates several choices. Matthew Boyd started Thursday's playoff clincher and appears lined up for Tuesday's Wild Card opener, according to MLB, though Chicago has not named a Game 1 starter. Clay Holmes and David Peterson pitched Friday's two games, leaving Wednesday's Game 2 as their earliest possible Wild Card starts on regular rest. Shota Imanaga, who last pitched Tuesday, could start Sunday's finale or be held for the series. Gausman could fit into any of the three Wild Card games by rest, subject to his shoulder.

The options reflect both health and recent form. MLB calculated a 3.00 ERA for Cubs starters over 14 games beginning September 11. Peterson followed his late-season run with five scoreless innings in Friday's nightcap. Holmes had a stronger August than September, when MLB counted 15 walks in 19 2/3 innings over four outings. Those are reasons for Counsell to weigh the whole staff, not proof of a final rotation order.

The Cubs are already in the postseason, and their first-round opponent and venue are now set. San Diego's 10-7 win over Arizona and Philadelphia's 12-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday locked Chicago into the NL's No. 5 seed and a road Wild Card Series against the Padres beginning Tuesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' bracket report and the Padres and Phillies final scores. Sunday's finale, now set for Tropicana Field because of the Boston weather forecast, can no longer change that seed. The pitching call is about preparing for San Diego and getting 27 outs when the series begins.