Stephanie: Two home runs. Three RBIs. A new franchise record for left-handed hitters. Pete Crow-Armstrong didn’t just win the game last night; he stole the entire baseball world’s attention.
Sean: And yet, if you look past the fireworks, the underlying mechanics of that win were built on grit. Shota Imanaga pitched through pressure, and the lineup found a way to manufacture runs when the Braves’ bullpen finally cracked.
Stephanie: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we live for every pitch. I’m Stephanie, and this is your daily Chicago Cubs preview. Sean is here with me as we break down what happens next.
Sean: Right. The Cubs sit at 85-68, second in the NL Central, and they have one more game against Atlanta before turning their focus to Cincinnati. It’s a critical stretch run.
Stephanie: Here is what we are tackling today: First, we’ll look at the pitching matchup for tonight’s series finale against the Braves and see if Imanaga can close out the sweep. Second, we’re diving into the injury report—specifically how the bullpen void impacts Craig Counsell’s late-inning strategy. And third, we’ll preview the trip to Cincinnati and what keys will determine if the Cubs hold onto second place.
Stephanie: Before we get into the heavy lifting, I want to say something quick. This show is free. No ads. No paywall. Just us talking baseball because we love it. If you enjoy these deep dives, please chip in via the link in the episode description. It keeps the lights on and the analysis sharp. Thank you.
Sean: We appreciate it. Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Pete Crow-Armstrong. Last night was historic.
Stephanie: It really was. PCA finished 3-for-4 with two homers, three RBIs, and three runs scored. He hit his 43rd and 44th home runs of the year, breaking the Cubs’ record for left-handers. How do you evaluate that performance in the context of an MVP race?
Sean: You have to look at the quality of the contact. We’ve talked all season about his launch angle and plate discipline. Those weren’t fluke hits off bad pitches. He recognized the velocity from the Braves’ relievers and drove them into the gaps and the seats. It’s the kind of clutch production that separates a good player from an MVP candidate.
Stephanie: And he did it in a high-leverage spot. The Cubs needed that momentum shift after trailing earlier. But beyond PCA, who stepped up? You mentioned Shota Imanaga allowed a run in six innings. That feels like a solid outing, but not a dominant one.
Sean: Exactly. Imanaga is efficient, but he wasn’t shutting down the Braves’ top of the order entirely. He gave up a run, which means the defense behind him had to be perfect. And they were, mostly. But looking ahead to Cincinnati, relying on Imanaga to go seven or eight more innings is risky given the rest of the rotation's health.
Stephanie: Let’s talk about that rotation. Justin Steele is out for the season on the 60-day IL. Hunter Harvey and Robert Suarez are also on the 60-day IL. Tyler Austin is there too. The list of unavailable arms is long.
Sean: It’s severe. Gavin Hollowell and Reynaldo Lopez are on the 15-day IL. Bryce Elder is there too. Dansby Swanson is on the 10-day IL. Lane Thomas is out. When you lose Swanson, you lose a significant part of the middle infield defense and leadership. But losing Suarez and Harvey? That’s your setup man and closer gone.
Stephanie: So, who is closing? Joe Jimenez is on the 60-day IL. Clay Holmes is listed as a starting pitcher on the roster, but he’s been used in relief previously. Is he the guy for the ninth inning in Cincinnati?
Sean: It’s a question mark. Holmes has the stuff, but using a starter as a full-time closer is a gamble. Javier Assad, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Rolison, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb, and Ryan Zeferjahn are the remaining arms. That’s a lot of bodies throwing BP. Craig Counsell is going to have to manage his bullpens like never before.
Stephanie: This brings us to the immediate task. Tonight, the Cubs play the Braves again. Winner takes the three-game series. The Cubs won yesterday 8-4. Can they sweep? Or does Atlanta bounce back?
Sean: I think the Cubs close it out. They have the momentum. PCA is hot. Alex Bregman was also instrumental yesterday. The offense is clicking. But defensively, without Swanson, they need to be sharper. I expect a low-scoring affair where the bullpen is tested heavily.
Stephanie: I agree the offense will score. But I worry about the starters. If Imanaga doesn’t go deep, the bullpen gets chewed up. Let’s pivot to Cincinnati. The Cubs travel to face the Reds tomorrow night. Who starts for Chicago?
Sean: The probables aren’t fully locked in public data yet, but Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, Aaron Civale, Kevin Gausman, David Peterson, and Colin Rea are available. Given the rest days, I’d expect either Boyd or Gausman to take the hill. Gausman has the experience to handle a hostile crowd in Cincinnati.
Stephanie: Gausman makes sense. He’s been reliable. But the Reds are dangerous at home. What are the keys for the Cubs to win that series? We’re talking about holding second place in the NL Central.
Sean: Plate discipline. The Reds’ pitching staff has weaknesses in the strike zone. If Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki can work counts and draw walks, they put pressure on the Reds’ pitchers. Also, defensive efficiency. With the injuries, you can’t afford errors. Every out matters.
Stephanie: Agreed. And let’s not forget Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly behind the plate. Their framing could be the difference in tight games. Okay, let’s move to Segment Two. We need to talk about the lineup construction without Dansby Swanson and the impact of the bullpen injuries on strategy.
Stephanie: Sean, you mentioned Swanson earlier. His absence is huge. Who fills the hole at shortstop or third base? Gabriel Arias and Michael Busch are there, but the defensive alignment changes significantly.
Sean: Arias is versatile, but he’s primarily a third baseman. Moving him around adds complexity. B.J. Murray Jr. and Pedro Ramirez are options at second. The point is, the Cubs are improvising. This isn’t the team that started the season. It’s a patched-together squad trying to make a playoff push.
Stephanie: And the bullpen. We have Clay Holmes listed as a starter, but he’s essentially the closer. Then you have Javier Assad, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Rolison, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb, and Ryan Zeferjahn. That’s six relievers for multiple series. How do you manage fatigue?
Sean: You don’t. You accept that some guys will be tired. You try to keep the game score low so you only need three outs in the ninth. But if the starter goes five innings, you’re asking Palencia or Webb to throw 20 pitches. That’s risky.
Stephanie: It’s a gamble. And what about the ABS challenge system? The headlines mention team rankings for challenges. Does that factor into strategy?
Sean: It does. Teams with better challenge success rates might be more aggressive. But honestly, with the injuries, the managers are focused on survival, not optics. The ABS tracker is interesting for fans, but for Counsell, it’s about getting outs.
Stephanie: Let’s talk about the hitters. Pete Crow-Armstrong is obviously the star. But Alex Bregman had a big night too. What role does Bregman play in this lineup moving forward?
Sean: Bregman is the anchor. He provides consistency. When PCA is hot, Bregman is steady. Together, they create a formidable 1-2 punch. Michael Conforto and Nico Hoerner provide depth. But the bottom of the order needs to step up if the top six are being shut down.
Stephanie: Tyrone Taylor and Matt Shaw are in the mix. Taylor’s speed could be an asset against the Reds. Do you think the Cubs will bunt more often or try to steal bases?
Sean: Stealing bases is always an option with Taylor and Hoerner. But against the Reds’ catcher, it’s risky. I think they’ll rely on extra-base hits from Bregman and PCA rather than small ball. The power numbers are there.
Stephanie: Fair point. Power wins games. Especially in September. Let’s look at the Reds. Who are they sending out? And what are their strengths?
Sean: The Reds are tough at home. They have a strong young core. But their pitching is inconsistent. If the Cubs can exploit the mismatches, they can win. Specifically, targeting left-handed pitching with Bregman and Happ is key.
Stephanie: Platoon splits. That’s the word of the day. The Cubs have to be smart about who they start. If the Reds start a righty, bring in Happ. If they start a lefty, keep Swanson... wait, Swanson is out. Bring in Conforto.
Sean: Exactly. Lineup management is crucial. Without their usual starters, every decision counts. The coaching staff has to be proactive, not reactive.
Stephanie: Okay, let’s wrap up the bullpen talk. Who is your pick to finish the game in Cincinnati? If Holmes is tired, who steps up?
Sean: I’d trust Caleb Thielbar. He’s experienced. He’s calm. In a high-pressure situation, you want someone who’s been there. Webb is another option, but Thielbar has the pedigree.
Stephanie: Thielbar it is. Alright, Segment Three. Keys to the series and a bold prediction. We’ve covered the injuries, the pitching, and the hitters. What’s the one thing that will decide this series against Cincinnati?
Stephanie: I think it’s bench depth. If the starters get hurt, can the reserves step up? Michael Busch and Gabriel Arias have to be ready to play every day. No days off.
Sean: I agree. Depth is everything in September. But my bold prediction? The Cubs win the series in Cincinnati. Not just one game, but the whole thing. They ride PCA’s hot streak and Imanaga’s efficiency to close out the regular season strong.
Stephanie: Bold! I like it. I’ll take the Cubs to win two of three. But I’m worried about the bullpen blowing a lead. That’s the risk. If they can keep it close, they win.
Sean: That’s why I said Imanaga. If he goes seven, the bullpen stays fresh. It’s a calculated risk. And I think Counsell takes it.
Stephanie: Alright, let’s hear it for Pete Crow-Armstrong! [applause] He’s been incredible. Two homers last night. Record-breaking. MVP material.
Sean: He deserves the recognition. But don’t sleep on Shota Imanaga. Six innings, one run. That’s a win. The Cubs need that from their starters repeatedly.
Stephanie: So, final thoughts. Cubs vs. Reds. Night game. Pitching matchup TBD. Injuries to monitor. Who do you have winning?
Sean: Cubs. 5-3. PCA goes deep again. Imanaga holds the line.
Stephanie: I’ll give it to the Cubs too. 4-2. But it’s going to be gritty. The bullpen has to survive. That’s the key. Survival.
Stephanie: That’s our show. We’ve got Pete Crow-Armstrong’s historic night, the injury crisis hitting the bullpen hard, and a preview of the Cincinnati series. The Cubs are fighting for position, and every game matters.
Sean: Stay tuned for the live updates tomorrow night. We’ll be there for the first pitch.
Stephanie: If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. Share it with a fellow Cub fan. It helps the show grow.
Sean: Thanks for listening. Keep your faith. Keep your voice loud.
Stephanie: Go Cubs!