Facing elimination, Chicago trusts a hobbled Kevin Gausman to stifle San Diego’s powerhouse hitters. With his shoulder ailing, the right-hander must navigate a dangerous lineup to keep postseason hopes alive.
The Chicago Cubs season is on the line.
After losing 8-0 to the San Diego Padres in Game 1, the Cubs have their backs against the wall. They must win Game 2 on Wednesday night in order to stay alive and force a Game 3 on Thursday.
In this decisive do-or-die Game 2, the Cubs will start a pitcher who is less than 100%.
Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reported that Gausman’s left shoulder is still “not 100%.” He is feeling good enough to start this game on Wednesday, but he’s not at full strength as the Cubs head into this elimination game.
This is obviously not ideal to hear just hours before the start of Game 2. Gausman is going out there at less than 100% when the Cubs need him most. Getting embarrassed in Game 1 and then throwing out an injured starter in Game 2 is not what the team likely envisioned entering this series.
Starting Gausman at less than 100% in Game 2 is a risky move by the Cubs.
The Cubs might have been better off starting Clay Holmes on four days' rest rather than Gausman with an injured shoulder. Additionally, the top of San Diego’s lineup has crushed Gausman across his career.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is 8-for-23 (.348 batting average) with two home runs, one double, and three RBI, while Manny Machado is 9-for-25 (.360 batting average) with two home runs, one double, and three RBI. Even Austin Hays (7-for-14), Xander Bogaerts (17-for-60), and Ty France (7-for-21) have all hit Gausman well over the years.
It’s definitely an interesting decision to roll with a pitcher who is less than 100% in a must-win game. The good news is that this injury was to his non-throwing shoulder. After throwing a bullpen on Sunday before the final regular season game and again on Tuesday, Gausman obviously feels good enough to give it a shot against this red-hot Padres team.
With Gausman a bit banged up and the Cubs on the brink of elimination, expect the right-hander’s leash to be much shorter. If Gausman can get Tatis and Machado in the first inning and give the team nine to 12 outs in this outing, that would be a massive win.
The Cubs could then call upon Clay Holmes to pitch a few innings and potentially even Shota Imanaga/David Peterson to get some outs.
The key for Gausman in this outing is to get Tatis and Machado out in that first inning. That’s pivotal because the Cubs can’t fall into an early hole again. Counsell may only ask Gausman to pitch one time through the order before handing the ball off to the bullpen with the season on the line.
