What do the Cubs do with their Playoff Pitching Staff?

A few weeks ago, it seemed almost a lock that Clay Holmes would be the Game 1 starter in the Wild Card series, Kevin Gausman would pitch game 2, and game 3 was wide open. But now there are some really big question marks.

1. Is Clay Homes still the #1 starter?
   
   After a bumpy first start, Holmes looked dominant in his next 4 starts, allowing only 1 run over 25 innings. Things have fallen apart over the last 3 starts, with 14 hits, 12 walks and 17 runs allowed in only 15.1 innings. I think the Cubs might still consider him in a game 1, but with the bullpen ready to step in early if it looks like he does not have it.
   
2. Will Kevin Gausman grab the #1 spot?
   
   Gausman has allowed 5 or more earned runs in 3 of his 8 starts. But he has big game experience, and was better in his last start against Atlanta, giving up 2 earned runs in 5.2 innings. Home runs have been a problem for Gausman, as he’s give up 7 in his last 4 starts.
   
3. What will the Cubs do with Peterson, Boyd and Imanaga
   
   Peterson has been the best Cubs starter over the last month, with only one bad start against Milwaukee mixed into 6 others where he allowed 1 or 2 earned runs.
   
   Boyd has been OK, although he was left in too long a couple of times, which hurt his numbers.
   
   Imanaga has been great in his last three starts with 4 earned runs allowed and only 1 home run over 18 innings. With his propensity of giving up long balls, starting him in the playoffs would seem like a big risk, but maybe Counsell goes with the hot hand.
   
   Ultimately, I think all 3 make the playoff roster to either start or provide depth behind whoeve is chosen to start.
   
4. Will the Cubs go with 12 or 13 pitchers in the Wild Card series?
   
   Typically, a team brings in an extra hitter in the Wild Card series. In 2025, 6 of the Wild Card teams went with 12 pitchers and two (the Dodgers and Guardians) went with only 11.
   
   But this has been such a volatile season for the Cubs bullpen that I would not be shocked if they went with 13 pitchers and 13 position players. This would leave their bench a bit shallow with Shaw, Ramirez, Taylor and Amaya. They might still opt to bring in a pinch running specialist, as the three non-catchers are often used in platoon pinch hitting matchups. But I’m not sure who that would be, as Kevin Alcantara has speed, but has not been a great base-runner in his brief time in the majors. The Alex Bregman injury could impact this, as Gabriel Arias might be needed as an extra infielder
   
5. What does the bullpen look like right now?
   
   Locks:
   Rolison
   Palencia
   Zeferjahn
   
   Very Likely:
   Thielbar
   Civale
   Webb
   
   Possible:
   Assad
   Rea
   Cabrera
   Thornton
   
   If the Cubs choose to put all of their starters on the Wild Card roster, that could leave Colin Rea out of the equation. In addition, if they only went with 12 pitchers, that would allow them to only take 7 of these guys, which would probably leave out Cabrera and Thornton.
   
   Here are the stats all the Cubs pitchers over the last 30 days.

Here will be a few hints for the final spots:

• Whoever starts the final game of the season will not make the Playoff Roster. I’m guessing it will be Rea’
• Whoever relieves in that game will also probably not make the roster.
• Whoever starts on Thursday is in line to be the Wild Card Game 1 starter. Or they could have Gausman or Imanaga start Game 1 with extra rest. It will be Holmes turn in the rotation, but Boyd will also be at 5 days rest.
• The Friday starter would be in line to start Wild Card Game 2 on normal rest. If Holmes starts that game, I’d expect him to start Game 2. But it could also be Boyd or Peterson starting.
• Thornton will be eligible to come off the IL for the Wild Card series. If Webb continues to struggle or Cabrera looks bad, Thornton might be bought back for the playoffs.