When the Chicago Cubs took the field for the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, it was more than a random rubber-match in July against an under-.500 American League team.
It was an audition.
Royals former All-Star Seth Lugo took the bump and dealt over six innings, allowing just two runs on four hits. He struck out the final five batters he faced.
Lugo has been rumored to be on the Cubs’ radar, with reports saying the Cubs have checked in with the Royals.
Lugo, 35, won’t blow you away with the fastball, but he certainly knows how to pitch. Lugo excels at manipulating the baseball and missing barrels.
The 2024 All-Star is 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 19 starts this season.
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ESPN’s David Schoenfield predicts the Cubs will land Lugo within the next week.
“Of the pitchers heading to free agency, Lugo is the best combination of "good" and "likely to be traded," and the Cubs should be the team most willing to offer what's needed to get him,” wrote Schoenfield. “They have a championship-caliber lineup and defense, plus the bullpen has been solid. Their farm system strength is on the position player side, which also matches up with the Royals' needs.”
Schoenfield notes that there could be trouble in October if the Cubs trade for Lugo, as Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga and Lugo aren’t big strikeout pitchers.
However, it's a risk the Cubs should be willing to take and strikeouts aren’t the only way to get outs. Lugo has pitched to a 2.38 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in five career postseason appearances, without devastating strikeout numbers.
It’s a small sample size, but it’s postseason experience, which the Cubs’ starting rotation lacks.
Lugo seems like the fish the Cubs will land, but the question remains, will it be enough for a deep playoff run?
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