The Cubs arrived in Boston less than 24 hours after celebrating a postseason berth at Wrigley Field, then came away from Fenway Park with two tight losses and an unexpected final stop before October.
| Game | Chicago | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Game 2 | 0 | 2 |
Chicago was swept in Friday’s doubleheader, falling 4-3 in the opener before the Red Sox completed the day with a 2-0 shutout. Instead of closing the regular season at Fenway Park, the Cubs and Red Sox will head to St. Petersburg, Florida, for Sunday’s Game 162 at Tropicana Field. A nor’easter expected to hit Boston forced the relocation.
It is a strange turn in an already busy stretch. The Cubs celebrated their clinch on Thursday night, boarded a plane for Boston, played 18 innings on Friday and now will fly south before beginning the Wild Card Series next week.
“Just tell us where to play, we’ll play,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ll show up and play.”
Wild Card position still unsettled
The pair of losses left Chicago two games behind San Diego for the top National League Wild Card spot, with the Padres’ late game against Arizona still pending. The Cubs were level with Philadelphia at the time, awaiting the Phillies’ result against Tampa Bay.
Sunday’s neutral-site finale could still shape the Cubs’ opponent and their place in the Wild Card field. It will also force Counsell and the club to weigh one last regular-season assignment against the need to have arms ready for Tuesday.
Rotation has several paths
Matthew Boyd appears positioned to open the Wild Card Series on Tuesday after getting the start in Thursday’s clinching game. Clay Holmes, who started the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, and David Peterson, the Game 2 starter, would each be back on regular rest in time for Wednesday’s second game.
Holmes said the staff is prepared for whatever comes next.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Holmes said. “There are a lot of different looks. Fastball, offspeed, we all have our own way to get outs. There are a lot of options and a lot of really good pitchers. We’re prepared to take the ball when our name is called and give everything we have.”
Kevin Gausman, acquired at the Trade Deadline along with Holmes, last pitched Wednesday and would ordinarily have enough rest to appear in any of the three Wild Card games. His status remains uncertain after he hurt his non-throwing left shoulder while making a defensive play in his last outing. He is listed day to day.
Shota Imanaga last worked Tuesday, leaving the Cubs with a decision for Sunday in St. Petersburg. They can use the left-hander against Boston, or keep him out of the finale and preserve him as a Wild Card option. If Chicago holds him back, Imanaga could be available at some point during the best-of-three series.
For now, the Cubs have one more regular-season game in a ballpark that was not on the original itinerary. Then comes the October test they toasted at Wrigley Field only days earlier.
