As the Cubs get ready to face the Brewers in the NLDS, there are several questions for both teams. The Cubs used almost their whole bullpen over the Wild Card Series, but barely went to the bench of position players. In a best of five, instead of a best of three, it will be interesting what they do with their roster. Meanwhile, the Brewers have a few key players who might be coming back from injury, but we might not be sure of until the roster is announced tomorrow.
Cubs Starter in Game 1
The Cubs could go a few different directions for their starter in game 1 of the series.
- Matthew Boyd only threw 58 pitches over 4.1 innings on Tuesday, so it is very possible that he goes on short rest.
- Colin Rea, who was excellent in his last few starts in the regular season went 1.2 innings on Wednesday, and I could see him going 3 or 4 innings to open the game.
- If they choose to go the bullpen method, Michael Soroka or Aaron Civale could be used to give 2 or 3 innings.
- Javier Assad could be added to the roster to replace Civale or a hitter to be used to start the game.
Cubs Roster moves?
Javier Assad would be the only guy I would expect to make the roster who was not on the Wild Card roster. Based on their lack of position player moves, I could see them dropping Alcantara to add an extra pitcher. Or perhaps Assad could replace Aaron Civale, who did not pitch in the three games.
Any other roster moves would be surprising. The bullpen must be gassed, and I would guess Counsell would like to conserve them a bit more in the next series. But with the next 3 games over 6 days, that should give Keller, Thielbar, Kittredge, Pomeranz and Palencia some time to recover. So with Soroka, Rogers, Rea and Civale also available, getting rid of a position player for this round is probably not necessary.
That leaves Castor, Turner, Ballesteros, McGuire and Alcantara on the bench. I would not expect Amaya to be added, unless one of the catchers in injured. Caissie is still dealing with his concussion, and Alcantara is probably a better pinch runner/defensive replacement. With Michael Busch staying in against left-handers lately, Matt Shaw seems like the only guy the Cubs are pinch hitting for. I could see them using a pinch runner for Kelly or Busch late in a game. There was some talk that Billy Hamilton could be added as a designated pinch hitter. And Carlos Santana is on the taxi squad in case of injury.
Brewers Health
There are 3 key pitchers for the Brewers whose health could play a major factor in the series.
Brandon Woodruff was put on the IL with a right lat strain on September 18th. That means that if he has recovered, he would be eligible to play in the NLDS. But the Breers have been very quiet about whether or not he would be on the postseason roster. Woodruff was very effective in his 12 starts that he made coming back from a long-term arm injury going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA and, more impressively, a 0.91 WHIP.
He was knocked around a bit in his only start against Chicago, going 4.1 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. That began a stretch of 3 rough starts against the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. But he was very strong in his last two starts against the Pirates and Angels, with 1 run and 4 hits over 11 innings, striking out 17.
With the effectiveness of Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester, I would guess that Woodruff would be a game 3 starter, if he he makes the roster.
The other possible starter who is coming back from injury is Jose Quintana. He injured his calf in September and went on the IL. But, he recently threw a simulated game, so he could be ready to return during the NLDS.
Also throwing a simulated game was closer Trevor Megill. He was a revelation this season as the replacement for Devin Williams, with 30 saves and a 2.49 ERA. But his replacement, Abner Uribe has been even better, with a 1.67 ERA. The Brewers should be fine going with either as a closer, but having both of them would give them a potent 1-2 punch in the late innings.
We should know on Saturday morning which players they decide to include on their NLDS roster.
*UPDATE*
We have some of the answers:
- Cade Horton will not be activated for the NLDS
- Matthew Boyd will start game 1
- Brandon Woodruff will not be active for the Brewers
Cubs in 7 
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