The Chicago Cubs missed a second chance to clinch a postseason berth on Wednesday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field while starter Kevin Gausman exited early with a left shoulder issue.
Wednesday night at Wrigley Field brought a heavy dose of frustration for the North Siders, who fell 3-2 to the Miami Marlins in a game that kept their postseason aspirations temporarily on hold. The defeat dropped the club’s record to 87-71, leaving them tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second National League Wild Card spot as the regular season winds down.
Kevin Gausman Exits With Shoulder Soreness After Strong Outing
The night turned sour for Chicago when right-handed starter Kevin Gausman had to leave the game prematurely. Gausman delivered the type of performance the team envisioned when acquiring him at the trade deadline, racking up seven strikeouts and generating 19 whiffs from 21 swings with his signature splitter. His only major blemish came in the sixth inning when Kyle Stowers launched a 2-0 fastball into the heart of the zone for a two-run home run.
Trouble struck later in the frame on an infield single by Griffin Conine. Gausman sprinted to cover first base, caught a throw from first baseman Michael Busch, and made a diving tag on Heriberto Hernández for a spectacular out. The play left the pitcher grimacing after he shifted to his feet.
“It always kind of seems like the baseball gods are going to test you,” Cubs starter Kevin Gausman said. “And it always seems to come at a time when you don’t want it to.”
Kevin Gausman, Cubs starting pitcher
He pitched well.
“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
Asked about his availability for the coming days, Gausman adopted a cautious outlook. I hope I wake up and feel great tomorrow, but you never know, I’ll get on some medicine, get some treatment, try to get in front of it tonight. But it’s just kind of a we’ll-wait-and-see type thing, he told reporters.
Missed Opportunities and Lineup Adjustments
Beyond the pitching concern, the Cubs struggled to capitalize with runners in base. The lineup finished a dismal 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position across the two games against Miami. The absence of Alex Bregman continues to leave a noticeable void as he works his way back from multiple facial fractures sustained Sunday in Cincinnati when he was struck by a foul ball. With Bregman sidelined, opponents have adjusted their approach; Pete Crow-Armstrong found himself intentionally walked, a rare deployment given his speed and offensive output.
The televisions around the Cubs’ clubhouse Wednesday night displayed the schedule for the following day. Having just dropped a 3-2 decision to the Marlins, the North Siders suffered through a second consecutive evening where they failed to seal the deal at Wrigley Field. Shortly after Dansby Swanson finished talking with the press, the D-backs locked up a win that left Chicago’s postseason fate undecided.
Following a late Wednesday victory over the Dodgers, the Padres currently hold a one-game advantage for the top Wild Card position. The Cubs hold tiebreakers over both the Phillies and Padres.
Despite the offensive stagnation, the bullpen provided bright spots. Relief pitchers Daniel Palencia, Ryan Rolison, and Ryan Zeferjahn combined to keep the Marlins quiet during their respective appearances, giving the Chicago offense multiple opportunities to pull ahead.
Weather Forecasts and Upcoming Doubleheader Pressures
With the postseason race tightening, external factors are compounding the schedule. Major weather issues are forecasted for Saturday and Sunday, forcing Major League Baseball and the clubs to prepare contingency plans that include a doubleheader in Boston on Friday. While a Saturday contest remains on the schedule for the Red Sox and Cubs, both organizations and league officials are keeping backup strategies in place while watching the upcoming weather reports. This scenario presents less than ideal circumstances for a Chicago squad fighting to secure a playoff spot.
Matthew Boyd was slated to take the mound Thursday against the Marlins. Clay Holmes and David Peterson are lined up to pitch in Friday’s twin bill. Shota Imanaga could be required to pitch on short rest if Saturday’s game remains on the schedule.
As the team deals with the uncertainty of both their rotation and the weather, shortstop Dansby Swanson emphasized the clubhouse mindset.
“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
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