Who STEPS UP in the playoffs for the Chicago Cubs?

Who STEPS UP in the playoffs for the Chicago Cubs?

Kate Horton is out. Who’s going to step up for the Cubs? You are Locked On Cubs, your daily Chicago Cubs podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. You are Locked on Cubs, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. Alongside Sam Olber, I’m Matt Cozy. Sam and I are lifelong fans taking our passion into a discussion with you on all things Cubs. This episode is brought to you by FiveHour Energy. Enough with the boring flavorless caffeine. It’s time to give your caffeine a flavor upgrade with 5H hour energy shots. Go to fiveour energy.com or Amazon today. Cubs play the Padres at 2:8 p.m. Central on Tuesday in game one of the wildcard series. We’re going to preview the entire series on our next episode, the last one before the first uh playoff game. On this episode later, we’re going to go over really our our content plans for the week. Some promotion as well. Uh final playoff roster projection with that uh not being actually due until 10:00 a.m. I believe on Tuesday. Uh Kyle Tucker returned Friday. Offense might be clicking at the right time. And we start with Cade Horton, who was placed on the IIL Saturday with a right rib fracture. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Horton wanted to give it a try, but after his throwing session Saturday morning, he realized he could not pitch this week. Hoyer did admit the Cubs learned about the fracture Wednesday, but did not disclose it. Horton who had a three 10 one zero3 wow erra in the second half was likely to pitch in game one on Tuesday of the wildcard series but instead it will be either Matthew Boyd show Imanaga or could it be an opener? We have so much to discuss today. Plenty of good signs from the weekend as well. But Sam, this is a major loss with Horton. Unfortunately, um not surprising. Um, you know, when I did my uh what was it? Solo show Thursday, I just I I I couldn’t believe I you I’m I’m tired of the way the Cubs do this and I I I didn’t get tricked by it this time. Um I just didn’t. Uh hey, he’s good to go. He’s going to throw, but there’s an area of concern on the MRI and we’re going to have another doctor look at it. I just the alarm bells were were all off and um I you know we found out at the middle in the middle of of our fantastic event at almost home uh on Saturday and not even that news uh could ruin that afternoon but it was um it’s not surprising you know we’ll have to dig deeper uh uh in the off season and just discuss injuries in general and how the Cubs communicate them and well do you think they lied? Um, no. I don’t think they lied. I I I I just don’t think they told the whole truth. Um, you know, you would like them to tell more truth and communication. I don’t know if I would like them to do anything. I I That’s my point. I don’t I I got I don’t follow teams like I do the Cubs, so I don’t know if other teams do this. I I understand it from a Good question. I understand it from a football perspective because there’s some gamesmanship there. You know, is there a guy that’s going to play in baseball? It’s like, you know, he’s either going to be on the wildard roster or he’s not. Like, why do you have to delay it? And like, and it’s like, and it just feels so selective with the news dump. Like, they waited I know they had to waited for him to pitch, but like they did it on a Saturday right before the game, right after the Cubs won their 90th game. like they just it just feels very calculated in the way they they release this stuff. But in terms of Horton, it’s a it’s a devastating blow. Um it’s a devastating blow to a team that you really felt about a month ago, you felt like they could really hang with anybody in a three-game series because of the way Horton and Boyd were throwing and then I now you’re going to go into a series where things have kind of flipped which we’ll talk about. The offense looks a little bit better. Now you have questions about the rotation and your best guy and your most reliable guy over the last two plus months is is is going to be on the bench. Yeah, I think Hoyer Hoyer’s availability helped me this time. It definitely took my temperature down. Yeah. Um, and I’m trying to follow their line of reasoning and and what happened. And uh I’m I’m choosing to to be less skeptical this time just on based based on what people have said just in the last 24 hours or so. Um, with that being said though, uh, the Cubs have not disclosed not one but two fractures to, uh, basically their best hitter and their best pitcher this year. Right. So whether I I appreciate Hoyer’s response on Saturday, which I did, and I understand Horton was out. We have the video. He was out there. He had the the thing wrapped around. He wanted to try because it it’s not an arm injury. So, let’s try. And after that, he just nope. Can’t do it. Um but but yeah, I’m not I’m not thrilled about them not disclosing, but I I’ve definitely cooled off at least this time. Uh but but he was the game one starter. He he gave up like five runs the whole half. Yep. Uh and it’s a it’s a major major loss. Boyd and Imanaga at Wrigley. If the Cubs score just a little bit, they should be fine. The Cubs are 26 and 11 this year and 17 and3 at Wrigley when either Boyd and I are on the mount and the offense scores at least three runs. They should be fine. Um, but it’s still disappointing and uh I I do think Tyion and Ray are the next guys in line, but man, you were hoping for maybe to see them against the Brewers and and you might need them as soon as Thursday. Are you have you shifted at all with like wind blowing in, wind blowing out? Because it’s impossible to tell with the weather right now. Like today today’s game the wind on Sunday’s game the wind’s blowing in at 73 degrees. Tuesday it’ll be 74 is the high, 70 is the high. Wednesday, I’d imagine that would lean blowing in. Uh 71 Thursday, but it’s really not really dependent on weather anymore. So, it’s kind of up in the air what the wind’s going to do. Uh are you like and seeing what the Cubs did this weekend uh at least Friday and Saturday with good hitting conditions. Have you shifted or are you still kind of where I was with hey, let’s just let’s just grind out three four two type winds. Yeah, I’m more towards the ladder. I think with the wind blowing is just it’s going to help. Yeah. Especially because you just got struggling pitchers. Yeah. Yeah. Boyd was better this week, but Shota wasn’t. Um No. So, yeah, I think more and more So, what I’m trying to do right now is convince myself that they could still make a run, right? Which is incredibly difficult. But what’s helped me is Craig Council’s tagline, the 27 ounce. And I’m I’m I’m putting Has that really helped you? That’s helped. It has. I’m putting names in my notebook. You know, we could we could do some of that with roster later, but uh he’s the likely rookie of the year is out. And that’s just it’s a shame. Yeah, it it the rumors and the I shouldn’t say the rumors, the reading in between the line stuff is starting to make me think you’re going to see kitchen sink when it comes to pitchers. Like you you may see Imanaga just go max effort for three, four, and any speck of trouble. Here comes Sroa, here comes here comes Tyion. Whatever they do, um it’s it’s going to be very kitchen sinky. I I still think they should just give the ball. They I still think they should just give the ball to Boyd game one. That seems like a little too much to I’m not I’m not I I’m not into the opener on Tuesday. Well, especially Especially because Boyd and Imanaga have have never done that this year. They’ve never come out of the bullpen. So, doesn’t make sense. Why? That might they might be unfamiliar with that. If you’re going to if you’re worried about them, then just have a real short leash and make sure that hey, you know, Sroka’s ready to go in the third or fourth. Uh well, also who would who would pitch the first inning? Do you have a name? I have no idea because can’t be Assad. It would have to Yeah, it would have to be Soka. It would have to be like Ray. Okay. Yeah. Have to be Colin Ray. That’s That’s the name. You’re right. Unless they get absolutely I think that’s overdoing it. Unless they get Looney and pitch Keller. No, no, no, no, no, no. Do you want Keller to face the top three guys in the first or or the ninth? Yeah. No, no, no. They won’t do that. That would be that that just made Quick quick note on Horton. He’s not eligible to I I saw some reports, you know, people doing the math. He’s not eligible to return until the NLCS. He could replace an injured pitcher in the NLDS, but someone on that active roster would need to be injured. Let’s put it like this. If Kane Horton pitches again in 2025 for the Cubs, it’s unbelievable news. Be fantastic. That’s I mean, it would be hopefully pitches game one of the WS. Yeah. All right. Coming up next, we go from pitching to hitting, which this week provided a lot of good signs. Let’s get into it. Today’s episode is brought to you by FiveHour Energy. Caffeine just got a flavor upgrade. 5Hour Energy Shots deliver tasty caffeine in 17 bold flavors. Each 2 oz shot packs the caffeine of a premium 12 ounce cup of coffee, plus B vitamins and nutrients with zero sugar and zero crashes. What I love most is how portable they are. Big taste, tiny shot. 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And if you need energy without the crash, their caffeine toothpicks are a gamecher. I’ve used the caffeine toothpicks before big meetings and long drives. that give me energy without the jitters and the flavors like peppermint watermelon ice actually tastes great. Go to zipix toothpicks.com use code locked on for 10% off your first order. Must be 21 or older to order. Warning, nicotine is an addictive chemical. That’s zipix toothpicks.com. Promo code locked on. Zip more, smoke less with Zipix toothpicks. Shout out to the everydayers. may become a locked on Cubs every day or by joining us for every episode throughout the week. Entering Sunday, the Cubs averaged eight runs per game in their five games this week. PCA, Bush, Sey all got to 30 homers. PCA the first 3030 player since Sammy Sosa. Seiya after a major power outage had an offensive barrage this week, especially the last couple of games. And BCH went eight for 17 with zero singles in the five games entering Sunday this week. Four homers, three doubles, and a triple. And uh the one single he could have had would have been for the cycle. Some minor drama on Saturday when Ali Marm Mole intentionally walked him late in the game. Uh Kyle Tucker returned Friday. He’ll likely DH in the wild card. Sam, is the offense clicking at the right time? because it sure looks like it to me. Yeah, it was um it was kind of everything we’ve been talking about for two plus months and and they did it on a home stand. I mean, even even in the Mets series where they lost two out of three, the offense was really really good. And you know, um you mentioned it. I mean, Seya being the biggest story, I thought it was completely fair for us to come out and question his his his ability to start against a righty with the way I mean, he hadn’t hit in two months. And then he had more production in in a 4-day stretch than he had in two months. And, you know, we’ve always talked about it, the say a roller coaster. Well, is there one more uh um you know, peak on it? And and that’s going to be the question. And uh you know, Michael Bush you talked about I mean he completed a really nice season for himself, a really good season and Pete starting to show signs and then some. And just Tucker being back in the lineup makes you feel more comfortable. Um I think I I I also think it just shows you how important it is for Wrigley to play normal. uh when it you know the weather this week was very not it wasn’t even hitter friendly as much as it was it just wasn’t wind howling in and the Cubs took advantage of it and you know I I I again I I I think we’re were very hard on the Cubs bats at home but like so many of these games this year the ball doesn’t go anywhere and it just felt like it was lively and jumpy this week and the Cubs took full advantage of it and yeah it gets you excited heading into this series and ironically the Padres’s are having a very similar outburst of their offense this weekend. So, you’re going to have two offenses that are are feeling pretty good about themselves coming into Wrigley Field and and clashing against each other. And um you know, I mean, my thought process was pretty simple. Bush, Pete, Seiya, and Tucker. Three of those guys rolling makes you think about April and May. And April and May had you thinking about really special things. And um there’s no reason to not think about really special things uh this week at at Wrigley for for for a playoff series. Yeah. Not to do too much of this now because we’re going to do a full full-blown preview, but the Padres’s weak point in the second half has been who starts the game. And uh that’s why it’s been frustrating for them having one of the best bullpens ever. Uh but when they turn it over to them, they they trail, right? Uh they they had trailed a lot the last month or so. Um so that that’s that’s going to be something to keep an eye on. I think just the the eye test this weekend for me was was very helpful. Uh not to mention the results. It’s just I I feel so much better seeing Tucker out there. Me, too. And that he’s been able to It’s been more than a test drive. I mean, he played all three games. He ran the bases. Um, he he’s hit the ball hard a couple times and and uh, you know, interesting that he might hit fourth. Yeah, I was going to ask you about that. Behind Hap. Very weird. But yeah, special, you know, despite a cold spell, a special year for Pete. Um, BCH just redot. you know, Seiya gets to to two milestones and in one at bat, 30 homers, 100 driven in after, you know, being quiet for for a long time. Uh you you convince yourself about a deep run because maybe they can pepper the the starters like they did in April and May, just as you said. And you look up at the graphic, oh, what’s that guy’s pitch count in the first inning? Wait, 27. Yep. Wow, what a grind. Oh, 32. Uh, even if it just starts with a two, I think that’s a win. Um, but against the Padres’s, you’ll have to do that and score. Uh, you know, the Saturday lineup, Sam, against the Cardinals, I I do think that’s going to be what we see Tuesday. Yeah. Bush, her hap, Tucker, Seiya, Kelly, Pete, Swanson, Shaw, and that’s who who got you here. Uh, wasn’t in that order necessarily, but uh these are the guys that are, you know, you win or lose. Yeah, the the half in the three hole is a little weird, but I get it. Um, Sea Suzuki homerred again on Sunday, by the way. Um I um yeah, whatever. You know what I mean? I mean, the hat lineup thing I I three games, I mean, what I’m going to talk about mostly on tomorrow’s show, so I don’t want to step on it, is like three games of baseball, you find out about as much as you do in three games of baseball as you do in like a quarter of football of one football game. Do you know what I’m trying to say? So, it’s like just it’s just kitchen sink. You know what? Whatever you got to do, whether that’s hit the long ball, play hit and run. Dylan CE doesn’t like to throw the bases, maybe you bunt at him a little bit, like what? Like I don’t really like I’m not going to over analyze. I don’t think I even I don’t think I even knew that. Yeah, I I noticed it in a couple of starts this year. Um I just you just got to do whatever you got to do. It’s not about really who the better team is in a three-game series. It’s about who plays better for three baseball games. I mean, you could see, well, these are football games now. This is the time of year where it is football every day. Can the Kansas City Royals could beat the Padres’s in a three-game series in Kansas City. I mean, it’s, you know what I mean? Like, it just doesn’t mean they’re a better team. So, you know, that’s that’s the lineup. You run out the guys that have got you there. And I I I think the biggest the biggest thing you do is you just say, “Hey guys, play with confidence, play loose, and just go for it.” And let’s see what happens. And let’s see who’s on the team, too. I’ll be saying this next episode and hopefully for a while and it’s because of the new format and and let me know what your feedback is. The regular season determines the best team. The playoff determine the World Series champion. Yeah, I think that’s right. And that’s why we could That’s a reason for optimism. 100%. 100%. I love it. Coming up next, there’s probably only two or three spots and it’s really on the position side that are still up in the air for the playoff roster, plus previewing our plans for the week. Stay tuned. This episode is brought to you by Neutrifull. You’ve probably seen a million ads for hair growth products and thought, “Sure, like that actually works.” There are so many products out there and it’s hard to know which ones are actually going to do anything. 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That way you don’t miss any of the great Cubs content we’ve got for you. All right, playoff roster projection. I have uh I do have an updated graphic. Could take a look at that, go over it. Um, but I think it’s actually pretty straightforward on the pitching side at least. Uh, I mean, unfortunately it is because Horton’s out. So, Tyion and Ray mo both make it. I think Ray was already on, but Tyion now. Um, I don’t have a place for Assad here. If they wanted to go 13 pitchers, then he would be number 13. Uh but you know historically in the wild card at least teams have gone 12 pitchers 14 positional guys. So I have Ray and Sroa like bulk guys. You’re your short lefties uh short relief excuse me Rogers Pomerance and Theelbar and then on the righty side short relief Palencia Kitridge Keller. So Sam, pretty straightforward on the pitching side, right? Or Yeah. I mean, the only thing that stands out to me on on that list is uh So, no Hamilton. Yeah. So, yeah, I guess he could pop up out of the uh but I’m just saying like I haven’t heard anything about that. Um Right. So, I guess it’s not I mean, you’d like to have the option. I gave Al Contra the last spot. Yeah. So to me, pinch runner, Pete Insurance. Yeah, I’d rather have Hamilton out there instead of Elcantra. Okay. Just because I’d love I love an ability where late in the ball game. You know, it’s Tuesday at about 458 and the Cubs trail late 32 in the ninth, 4-3 in the ninth and Robert Suarez get is a little over amped and he walks uh Seiya to start an inning. I mean, Billy H Billy Hamilton could turn that into a triple and a guy like Suarez isn’t really accustomed to dealing with that. Then all of a sudden, you hit a little infield shot, it’s tied and and and Wrigley’s going crazy. And you know what I mean? I just I think the upside is just bigger on that. But I don’t know anything about Billy Hamilton’s speed. I don’t know anything about where he’s at. I haven’t heard anything. I just figure that’s why the Cubs got him. So yeah, and Alcantra is not doesn’t have the reps to do something like that. No, he doesn’t have that type of speed or or Yeah. Or I guess the wheels to do it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Uh yeah. So I I know Hamilton, you know, he cameoed at in De Moines the last week of the season there for the I Cubs and then with a bunch of guys he went to Sloan. Um so you know, he’s getting his work in. Uh yeah, that you know, that could be the 26 guy. I didn’t realize, Sam, before Sunday, Castro hadn’t played since last Sunday. Yeah. Well, that sounds about right. Um, so he’s like the 25th guy. Bysteros is a lock now. And, uh, Carlos Santana accepted an option to the miners Friday when Tucker was activated, but I don’t think Santana’s going to be on the wild card roster. Um, so there there you go. And I have Turner on there uh, as well. Uh let’s see here. Uh almost home shout out Sam. Yes, great great events on Saturday. Eric and Holly, Chris from Ireland. Wow. Uh John and his whole family, Jordan, Max who was at the game today uh with the ticket giveaway. Um, and Sam’s generosity also sent people from our event to the game on Saturday. Uh, which was the next people on my list, Peter and Luke. Um, great to talk with them. Aaron and James. James wasn’t there this time, but I talked to September. I I didn’t write it down. And uh, what do you mean? These were all the people. Yeah, I talked to a couple people when you left that came. What? They came after one o’clock like like five to one. Wow. Who Who was it? I talked to a gentleman who I took a selfie with uh who who has season tickets uh uh to the to the Cubs and his first game that he was ever at was Ken Holtzman’s no hitter in 1969 of August. Wow. They uh at the buzzer there one o’clock. Yeah. Yeah. Uh Maurice and David as well. I believe Maurice was going to the game with Max which was pretty cool uh having just met at the at our event. So, all right. Appreciate everybody there. Always fun. Was amazing. And uh would really like to do something behind a mic this winter. Yeah. And then uh maybe back at almost home in uh in March or something like that as the Cubs open at home next year. All right, we’re gonna be we’re gonna be live 15 minutes after the final out for every game of the playoffs. That starts Tuesday. Yep. Uh we’ll be in your audio feed about an hour or so after the final out, right? Not as immediate, but pretty quick. And if you are on X, uh, we would love for you to call into our spaces on Monday night. We plan to do one uh later Monday night, maybe about 8 central and and then and then I’ll be doing a watch along uh on Tuesday just for the first few innings. It’s not going to be all nine. I got some show stuff. The game’s at the middle of the day. Um, you know, 208 208 central, by the way, if we haven’t announced that. Um, yes. So, so yeah, just a just a a little playoff kickoff watch along on Tuesday live after each game Tuesday and Wednesday and and we’ll go from there. Oh man, so excited. Full preview of Cubs Padres’s our next episode. This is Lockdown Cubs, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Your team every day. For your second listen, check out the allnew Locked on MLB Game Night. Every game, every night, all season long. Get local analysis on a national scale. Find MLB Game Night on the Locked On MLB channel on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcast. He’s Sam Olber. I’m Matt Cozy. This is Lockdown Cubs. Go Cubs.

Cade Horton is OUT for the Wild Card Series. We breakdown who could step up in the rotation for the Cubs, whether or not the offense is clicking at the right time, the final playoff roster projection, and more.

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