The Chicago Cubs missed a chance to clinch a postseason spot Wednesday night, falling 3-2 to the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field while starter Kevin Gausman exited with a left shoulder injury, according to reporting by Major League Baseball.
Missed Clinching Opportunities and Standings Pressure
Wednesday night marked the second evening that the North Siders were unable to secure a postseason berth at home. The loss dropped the Cubs’ record to 87-71, pulling them into a tie with the Phillies for the second National League Wild Card position, as Major League Baseball reported. Meanwhile, the Padres maintained a one-game advantage for the top Wild Card slot following a late victory against the Dodgers.
The offensive struggles compounded the frustration at Wrigley Field. The lineup went 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position across the two games, playing without Alex Bregman as he recovers from multiple facial fractures sustained from a foul ball in Cincinnati, according to Major League Baseball. Pete Crow-Armstrong drew multiple intentional walks during the series, a rare deployment for the speedster given the team’s usual lineup protection, Bleed Cubbie Blue noted.
Kevin Gausman’s Strong Outing and Shoulder Scare
Acquired at the trade deadline specifically for high-stakes pitching performances, Kevin Gausman delivered seven strikeouts and generated 19 whiffs on his splitter before being forced out of the game in the sixth inning, Major League Baseball reported. The only major blemish on his outing was a 2-0 fastball over the heart of the plate that Kyle Stowers drove out for a two-run home run.
The trouble arose later in the sixth during a defensive play when Gausman sprinted to cover first base and made a diving tag on Heriberto Hernández. The pitcher experienced immediate discomfort in his left shoulder upon standing up, according to Major League Baseball.
“Kind of an awkward position to be in. I dislocated this shoulder in high school a long time ago. I didn’t necessarily do the same exact thing, but just kind of banged it pretty good. It felt fine until I kind of stood up to check the other runner. It just kind of felt the left shoulder was pretty weak at that point. It still feels pretty weak.”
Kevin Gausman, Cubs starting pitcher, via Major League Baseball
When questioned about his timeline for recovery, Gausman adopted a cautious outlook, stating to Major League Baseball that he hoped to feel better after treatment but acknowledged it remained a we’ll-wait-and-see type thing
.
Bullpen Workload and Resilient Relievers
The extended game placed heavy demands on the bullpen. Over the course of the recent extra-inning stretch, the collective bullpen worked seven innings and allowed seven runs, six of them earned, Bleed Cubbie Blue reported. Despite the heavy overall load, individual relievers turned in scoreless frames to keep the club competitive.
Daniel Palencia retired four consecutive batters, while Ryan Rolison handled five batters and retired four, according to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Manager Craig Counsell and the coaching staff continue relying on these relief arms to navigate high-leverage frames while the starting rotation manages injuries and upcoming weather contingencies.
Weather Forecasts and Upcoming Boston Series
Logistical hurdles complicate the final stretch of the regular season. Major weather forecasts threaten weekend games in Boston, prompting Major League Baseball and the clubs to schedule a doubleheader for Friday to preempt expected storms on Saturday and Sunday, Major League Baseball reported.
Dansby Swanson addressed the shifting schedule and the team’s mindset heading into the final series, emphasizing resilience amid factors beyond player control, as Major League Baseball reported.
“Really and truly, this one couldn’t be more out of our control. There’s just so much uncertainty, but there’s kind of some peace in that, knowing that at the end of the day, our job is to show up and put our best foot forward. We have a lot of pros in here who are capable of handling anything thrown their way.”
Dansby Swanson, Cubs infielder, via Major League Baseball