A bi-weekly feature (more frequent as we get close to season end) on how I’m feeling about the Cubs rotation. This is not deep-dive or always statistics driven…just my gut feel.
At this point, I have not idea how I’d rank the five starters, except to say that I don’t feel great or terrible about any of them. I just went through an exercise with the bullpen putting everyone at a medium level of confidence, and I feel almost exactly the same about the starting pitching.
The problem is that they will be facing lots of teams with Ace pitchers and extremely high confidence relievers. Can the hitting and defense of the Cubs win them some playoff games, or is the lack of top-line pitching going to lead to an early exit?
Green = Moving Up
Red = Moving Down
Blue = Moving out
Orange = Moving In
White = No Change
Ace – would start this pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series
Back to empty
Near Ace – would feel comfortable starting this pitcher in a playoff series
No one – and now is the time when it really matters. Maybe next year we will see Justin Steele, Ben Brown or even Cade Horton here. But this year, no one made this tier as the playoffs begin.
Embrace – would feel comfortable starting this pitcher in a big regular season game
David Peterson – Right now, he’s at the top of the list, which is mind-blowing. The Cubs acquired three starters on the list during the season, and the one that cost the least in terms of prospects has really turned out to be the best. But he might not even start in the Wild Card.
Kevin Gausman – Will he even be able to pitch with his sore shoulder? I’m not sure. He finally had two good starts in a row, and at this point, I’d expect him to start Game 1.
Matthew Boyd – Boyd had a good start in the clinching game against Miami, and could start any of the games in this series. He’s been especially effective early in games lately, so if he is limited to 3 or 4 innings, that might be ideal.
Clay Holmes – What a disappointment. As we watched Jefferson Rojas tear it up at the end of the minor league season, Clay Holmes lost some big games which could have helped the Cubs get home field for the Wild Card. I think he has the upside to pitch in the playoffs, but who knows which Clay Holmes we will see.
Shota Imanaga – Will he start Game 3 (if necessary) or will he even make the playoff roster at all? He pitched only one inning in Tampa on Sunday, meaning I think he makes the playoff roster, but we will see.
Near Replace – would only feel comfortable starting this pitcher in against a lesser opponent
All the starters are in the mushy middle.
Replace – would only feel comfortable starting this pitcher in spring training
No one at the moment
Moved to Bullpen:
None
Injured Or Sent to Minors:
Ben Brown – 60-day IL – Out for 2026
Justin Steele – 60-day IL – Did not come back for the CUbs in 2026
Cade Horton – 60-day IL – Back in 2027? Hopefully.
DFA’d and/or Traded
none
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