Chicago Cubs playoff reserve squad spotlighted amid postseason concerns

In the case of this particular team—given their particular weaknesses and potential liabilities—it’s absolutely essential to have a quality reserve squad on hand in case of injury or other possible events.

Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib recently revealed the Cubs’ taxi squad that will be accompanying them throughout the playoffs and, even as reserve units, it doesn’t inspire a crazy amount of confidence.

In the crew are left-handed pitchers Jordan Wicks and Braxton Garrett, right-handed pitchers Tyler Ferguson and Gavin Hallowell, outfielders Kevin Alcantara and Justin Dean, infielder James Triantos, and catchers Austin Wynns and Owen Ayers.

This squad will back up a team with some big questions and uncertainties, beyond those regarding home field advantage.

Questions and uncertainties

The Cubs offense—their greatest strength and an MLB-leading asset—has grown ice cold in recent games. They’ve scored only 9 runs through their last 5 games and only managed to post 3 runs in Friday’s impromptu doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox.

This is a big deal for a playoff-bound team that will rely heavily on the strength of their run production.

On the pitching side of things, there’s just a lot of inconsistency as well as some glaring holes.

The bullpen, for example, has been iffy at best and in full-on collapse mode at worst. There are some indications that Daniel Palencia and Ryan Zeferjahn have turned things around for late-inning use. Meanwhile, Colin Rea, Javier Assad, and Aaron Civale have proven themselves as solid multiple-inning options in relief. Still, there very legitimate concerns about the Cubs’ relief corps and their ability to turn things up in the postseason.

The starting rotation has been pleasantly solid over recent games, with David Peterson and Shota Imanaga posting ERAs in the ones over their last few starts. But the playoffs are another thing altogether. Veteran Kevin Gausman is nursing a sore non-throwing shoulder from a diving tag at third in his last start and fellow trade deadline acquisition Clay Holmes is not firing on all cylinders at the moment. All of this—plus issues from the rearranged schedule—make for some serious doubts regarding the playoff starting rotation.

So, all in all, this postseason may be of the “cross your fingers and hope for the best” variety, with special high hopes that the roster regulars avoid injury.