Cubs Face Critical Rotation Decisions Amid Playoff Push

The National League wild-card race is putting pressure on the Chicago Cubs regarding pitching decisions. The Cubs aimed to secure a playoff berth Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins. They needed a win or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss to clinch it but fell short in extra innings, losing 8-2 after 12 frames.

In the 10th inning, Matt Shaw could not execute a bunt, popping out instead. This mistake proved pivotal. Ian Happ followed with a deep flyout that would have scored the winning run if Shaw had been successful. Later, Nico Hoerner walked with two outs, and Pedro Ramírez grounded out to end the inning.

“These are the moments that you prepare for, you know they’re coming,” Shaw said. “I know that I’m going to have another situation where I’ll need to bunt. We all understand the stakes, so we keep preparing. Experience helps in these situations.”

Both teams failed to score in the 11th inning, but the Cubs collapsed in the 12th. The Marlins scored six runs, three of which were charged to Edward Cabrera. With the Cubs going 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position and leaving 15 runners stranded, they felt the sting of a lost opportunity, especially as other contenders fared in their games.

The loss kept the Cubs tied for the wild card with the Phillies winning over the Brewers and the Padres losing to the Dodgers. Five games remain in their season.

The big picture involves how the Cubs will arrange their starting pitchers for the postseason. Shota Imanaga delivered a solid performance, allowing one run in five innings without any walks or home runs while striking out seven. Imanaga is peaking at the right time, posting a 1.96 ERA over his last four starts.

Imanaga explained through his interpreter Edwin Stanberry, “This year I figured out what needed improvement and my body feels healthy and good.”

Kevin Gausman will start Wednesday against the Marlins. The starter for Thursday remains undecided. The Cubs face a challenge in deciding their rotation for the final series against the Red Sox as a nor’easter threatens Boston with heavy rains over the weekend.

Manager Craig Counsell stated the Cubs might adjust some pitcher rotations, but emphasized the importance of winning the remaining games. He said, “We have other considerations, including weather, as the weekend approaches.”

Decisions such as which pitchers to use could also depend on who the Cubs encounter in the wild-card round. Facing the Phillies may influence them to use a lefty-heavy rotation to counteract Philadelphia’s top left-handed batters.

The Cubs’ position, with a 7-8 record over the last two weeks, impels them to make strategic choices moving forward, including whether to bring back left-hander Justin Steele. Steele has not pitched in the major leagues since April 2025, but Counsell indicated he is an option for Boston. Steele will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

Counsell expressed optimism about Steele, stating, “He pitched really well in his last outing. That’s a good feeling for him and a great sign for us.” The decision to activate Steele will also require roster adjustments.