The Cubs designated Josh Osich for assignment and selected Josh Phegley back to their 40-man roster this morning as they set their 28-man roster for their Wild Card Series showdown against the upstart Marlins. Here’s how the roster breaks down:
Right-Handed Pitchers
- Jason Adam
- Adbert Alzolay
- Yu Darvish (Game 2 starter)
- Kyle Hendricks (Game 1 starter)
- Jeremy Jeffress
- Craig Kimbrel
- Alec Mills
- Ryan Tepera
- Dan Winkler
Left-Handed Pitchers
- Andrew Chafin
- Jon Lester (Game 3 starter)
- Jose Quintana
- Kyle Ryan
Catchers
- Victor Caratini
- Willson Contreras
- Josh Phegley
Infielders
Outfielders
A resurgent Yu Darvish has spearheaded the Cubs’ rotation in 2020, but he’ll give way to Kyle Hendricks as the Game 1 starter. As has been the case in recent years, the Cubs’ offense has faded late in the season, and the productivity of the lineup will be a focal point this series. Kris Bryant, in particular, has been hobbled by an oblique issue but avoided the IL and is lineup, hitting third against Miami’s Sandy Alcantara.
Much has been made of the team’s bullpen struggles in recent years as well, with Craig Kimbrel’s decline standing out first and foremost, but the once-hittable closer has begun to resemble his peak form over the past six weeks. Dating back to mid-August, Kimbrel has rattled off 12 2/3 innings with a 1.42 ERA and an eye-popping 26-to-7 K/BB ratio. He’s faced 49 hitters in that time and allowed just four hits while punching out more than half of them.
Marlins in 2 – even with Steve Bartman left off roster!
Nah; the Cubs are built for a three game series. (Similar to the White Sox, really – both have two or three very good starters and then not so much for starters 4 and 5.) The Marlins are fun this year but not likely to win a game.
The Cubs’ biggest weakness is indeed the bullpen, versus the Sox’s strength there; I suspect the White Sox will go for a bullpen game for game 4 of the next series (maybe with Dunning pitching a few innings as the nominal starter, but not a full six or seven) assuming they make it there, while I don’t think the Cubs have that luxury.
He’s a troll don’t mind him
Thank you, xxl, for not ignoring me!
I think it will be interesting to see how the Cubs handle the rotation behind Hendricks and Darvish. Not having Chatwood and Wick really hurt the Cubs here because Lester, track record aside, has not been reliable this season and Q has not been able to go deep.
Alzolay!
Didn’t matter now, did it?!
Cubs biggest weakness is their lack of hitting.
And lack of winning
There was no lack of winning by the Cubs when they were spanking the White Sox!
They sure knocked your White Sox around last weekend! If the White Sox just win last Sunday they win the division! But the Cubs knocked your White Sox all the way to third! Ouch! Boy that hurts you!!!
Marlins in three.
Oakland in 3 over White Sox.
Like I said!!!! Marlins in 2.
Now wondering what to buy with my windfall…!!
Range Rover maybe.
Sox fans only care about beating the Cubs in the regular season.
I’m taking the Cubs in a sweep if the Cubs bats show up at all.
That sounds like something Kramer would say, the levels!
Ifs and buts, not happening.
bahaha the Marlins do it again. 1 win from keeping the series win streak alive.
Cubs’ pitcher head hunting Marte, but hit the hand instead. Can’t get anything right!