CUBS LINEUP — Despite a dominant-looking Nick Pivetta, the Chicago Cubs were able to secure an all-important first win of this short three-game series at Wrigley Field yesterday. And that means they have a chance to advance to the NLDS with a win today.
The Cubs will open things up with Andrew Kittredge before handing the ball to Shota Imanaga for the bulk. And the Padres will counter with former Cubs farmhand Dylan Cease.
Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 2 at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
Michael Busch, 1B Nico Hoerner, 2B Ian Happ, LF Kyle Tucker, DH Seiya Suzuki, RF Carson Kelly, C Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF Dansby Swanson, SS Matt Shaw, 3BCraig Counsell is making exactly zero changes to the Cubs lineup today, which is not much of a surprise. I had, however, been wondering if he might have tried to get Moises Ballesteros in there someway, not only because Cease is worse against lefties, but also because Ian Happ, in particular, has been brutal against Cease for his career: 1-21, 3BBs, 10Ks.
But Happ has been good the entire second half, and if Kyle Tucker is unable to play the field (as he is), there’s no way to get Ballesteros’ bat in the Cubs lineup. Alas. I think this is a perfectly fine way to go about it. And, hey, there’d be no better time for Happ to flip the script on his history with Cease than a potential playoff series clinching matchup at Wrigley Field!
Let’s GO, Cubs. Get it done today. Buy yourself some extra rest. Avoid the elimination game. You can do it.
San Diego Padres Lineup:
TBAPitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Andrew Kittredge, RHP + Shota Imanaga, LHP (probably)
Last night, Andrew Kittredge tossed a scoreless, hitless, walkless top of the eighth against the Padres for his first hold of the postseason. But today, he’s got a very different task: Opening up the game against the top of the Padres lineup.
Although Shota Imanaga is likely getting the bulk of the work this afternoon (I’ll get to him in a second), Craig Counsell is starting the game with the righty, Kittredge, to hopefully neutralize the potent and right-handed top of the Padres lineup: Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, and Manny Machado.
Brett got into that decision yesterday, when this was first announced:
Kittredge, who has mostly been dominant with the Cubs, was actually a frequent opener for the Tampa Bay Rays back when they were pioneering the role, so he has plenty of experience “starting” games. He has slight traditional splits for his career, tending toward neutral, and strong reverse splits this year (though he’s still been very good against righties). The Cubs will hope he can cut down Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, and Manny Machado (assuming they’re the top three again tomorrow), before turning the ball over to Shōta Imanaga for the second inning and more of the lefties.
If all goes well, Shota Imanaga should get the ball in the second, when his (hopefully long) day of work will begin.
Like Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga will have two advantages today: First, the Padres are simply a weaker offense vs left-handed pitching this year, especially with Ramon Laureano out injured. Second, and perhaps more crucial for a flyball, homer-prone pitcher like Imanaga, the wind at Wrigley Field is once again blowing in.
Obviously, the Cubs were able to get a couple of balls into the bleachers yesterday with similar wind patterns, but the Padres (and Cubs) definitely had some other balls knocked down that could’ve been trouble. And seeing as Shota Imanaga’s 1.93 HR/9 was the HIGHEST (i.e., worst) mark in baseball for any pitcher with more than 140.0 IP, I’d say that’s a very important fact.
But let’s not minimize Imanaga’s talent altogether. The second-year Cubs starter finished his 2025 season with a very solid 3.73 ERA over 144.2 IP. The strikeout rate overall was way down compared to last season, but his walk rate remained well above (better than) average. And to be fair, the strikeouts came back in a big way down the stretch.
Imanaga didn’t finish the season on a high note (5.2 IP, 9H, 8ER, 1BB, 3K vs the Mets), but he did have seven quality starts over his last ten tries, five of which included him pitching into the 7th inning.
Imanaga also faced the Padres way back in April, holding them to just one earned run on four hits and no walks over 7.1 IP. By Game Score (71), that was his fifth-best start of the season.
Anything close to that today, and you have to like the Cubs chances.
San Diego Padres: Dylan Cease, RHP
First rule of facing current/former aces: No matter how good or bad they have been lately (or this season), they are ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS capable of regaining their best form on any one given day. So although Dylan Cease finished his 2025 season with a 4.55 ERA, I would not let that give you a false sense of confidence. This is Dylan Cease, and you have been advised.
But on an even more granular level, Cease’s peripherals were a lot stronger than his results (3.46 xERA, 3.56 FIP). This is still a very durable pitcher (32+ starts in five straight seasons) who finished the year with a 29.8% strikeout rate and solid-to-above-average batted ball data.
With that said, there are some reasons for optimism. Among them:
Dylan Cease had a 3.61 ERA at home this year, but a 5.58 ERA on the road. Dylan Cease was worse against left-handed batters (.323 wOBA) than he was against righties (.304 wOBA), which is not a bad outcome for a Cubs lineup with plenty of lefties. Dylan Cease didn’t finish the season on a particularly strong note, with just two quality starts in his last 12 outings. And lastly, the Cubs faced Cease back in early April, when they scored three runs (2 earned) on seven hits (including a homer) and a walk against six strikeouts.There are some very notable matchups to address, too (both good and bad):
Michael Busch: 2-8, 2 HRs, 1BB, 4K Ian Happ: 1-21, 3BB, 10Ks (ouch) Kyle Tucker: 5-13, 2 2Bs, 2BB, 3KBroadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (1-0) vs San Diego Padres (0-1) at 2:08 pm CT – ABC, 670 The Score
Cubs vs Padres – Key Injuries:
Chicago Cubs:
Owen Caissie, OF Miguel Amaya, C Ryan Brasier, RP Cade Horton, RHP Justin Steele, LHPSan Diego Padres:
Ramon Laureano, OF Jason Adam, RP Nestor Cortes, SP Joe Musgrove, SP Jhony Brito, RPCubs vs Padres – Wrigley Field Weather Report
Location: Chicago, ILTemperature: 74 degreesWind: Blowing in, moderate with strong gusts
Today vs Padres: 74° ☁️ Wind blowing in from RF / CF at 9mph? Gusts up to 15mph #Cubs #Weather
— Wrigley Winds (@WrigleyWinds) October 1, 2025Hence then, the article about chicago cubs lineup wild card game 2 vs dylan cease was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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