NEWSLETTER
When I was looking ahead to the schedule just after Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood hit the injured list, I was aware the Cubs played five straight games against the Cardinals with a double-header on Saturday, but I didn’t quite internalize how bad the timing was. Not only are the Cubs without TWO members of the rotation for a huge series including one day with two games, but the way the schedule shook out was awful: the double-header lined up with Quintana *and* Chatwood’s day, as they had been piggybacking off each other as they both dealt with bumps and bruises and ramp ups.
So the Cubs are left with two games in need of starters with just one solid option, Adbert Alzolay, to fill in. Alas, they’ll do their best with what they’ve got:
Ross: Alzolay will start Game 1 of doubleheader Saturday, with a "bullpen day" in Game 2.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 4, 2020
Adbert Alzolay made one fill-in start earlier this season (against the Cardinals, no less) and it was a good one: 5.0 IP, 2H, 0ER, 1BB, 6Ks. Let’s hope he can go at least that long tomorrow, because the Cubs will need all the relievers they can save for Game 2.
Along the same lines, if ever there were a time for a complete game from Yu Darvish, tonight would be the night. This is one of the most important series of the year and the Cubs are fighting an uphill battle in the rotation.
