The Chicago Cubs are getting ready to experience their first postseason since the 2020 season. Going into Saturday's games, they hold a 90-70 record, which gives them the top National League Wild Card spot.
Chicago has reached its current status thanks to exceptional play from players like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker. However, the pitching staff has also been great, holding together a team ERA of 3.82, which ranks them in the top 10.
Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga have pitched well, but rookie Cade Horton has delivered above expectations. Across 22 starts, he holds an 11-4 record with a 2.67 ERA across 118 innings or work, but will be missing some time.
Cade Horton injury forces Cubs to reshuffle postseason pitching rotation
Unfortunately, the Cubs will be without Horton for at least the Wild Card series. It was announced on Saturday that the club had placed the NL Rookie of the Year candidate on the 15-day IL, via MLB Trade Rumors.
"The Cubs will be without one of their top starters for at least the first round of the playoffs, as Cade Horton has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to September 25) due to a non-displaced right rib fracture. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was called up to take Horton's roster spot for the final two games of the regular season."
Horton will miss at least the Wild Card round, and the earliest he would be able to return would be for Game 5 of the NLDS. This forces the team to reconsider their options going into the postseason.
For now, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, and Jameson Taillon will have to step up and make quality starts. While they still have the talent to go on a deep run, losing Horton makes it much more difficult.