Chicago Cubs take major hit just before postseason play begins

Rodney Knuppel

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Chicago Cubs take major hit just before postseason play begins image

The Chicago Cubs’ postseason plans took a major hit Saturday when rookie sensation Cade Horton was placed on the 15-day injured list with a rib fracture. The timing means the 24-year-old, who has been dominant since the All-Star break, will miss the upcoming wild card series against the San Diego Padres.

Horton’s injury was as bizarre as it was devastating. He first hurt himself while coughing during an illness in Cincinnati last week. He left his start against the Mets after just two innings, and follow-up imaging revealed the rib issue. Though the Cubs initially hoped he could push through, his pain during bullpen work on Friday and Saturday forced the team’s hand.

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Before the setback, Horton had quickly become Chicago’s most reliable starter, going 8-1 with a sparkling 1.03 ERA over his last 12 starts. His performance made him the frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year, and he was widely expected to get the ball in Game 1 of the postseason. Now he won’t be eligible until at least a potential Game 5 of the division series.

Next man up

With Horton sidelined, the Cubs are scrambling to adjust. Matthew Boyd looks like the likely Game 1 starter, with Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Colin Rea also candidates to take the mound during the series.

Chicago opens its best-of-three wild card showdown with the Padres on Tuesday. Losing Horton changes the look of the rotation, and it puts added pressure on the bullpen to keep things steady. The Cubs’ lineup will need to shoulder more of the load as they try to advance without their breakout ace.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.