Matthew Boyd to Start Game 1 for Cubs; Alex Bregman Defensive Status Uncertain

Matthew Boyd will lead the Cubs' rotation on Tuesday night against Michael King, while Alex Bregman's ability to play third base remains undecided.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that left-hander Matthew Boyd will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at Petco Park. Boyd, who allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings in last year's wild-card opener against San Diego, will face Padres right-hander Michael King. While Boyd takes the mound, right-hander Kevin Gausman remains a rotation option for later in the series after throwing a bullpen session on Sunday to test his sore left shoulder. Gausman, who posted a 4.83 ERA in nine starts for Chicago, injured his non-throwing shoulder during a diving tag play on Wednesday.

Alex Bregman’s availability to play third base remains undetermined despite his participation in Monday's workout. Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures after being struck by a foul ball on Sept. 20, though he returned to the lineup as a designated hitter for the regular-season finale. In that Sunday game against the Boston Red Sox, Bregman went 4-for-4 with two home runs. Counsell noted that while swelling has decreased, the fractures have not healed, leaving Pedro Ramirez or Matt Shaw as potential starters at third base if Bregman is limited to DH duties.

The Padres have not officially named starters beyond King, though Nick Pivetta is expected to pitch Game 2. San Diego options for a potential Game 3 include Robbie Ray or Walker Buehler. For the Cubs, pitching options for the remainder of the series include Gausman, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson, all of whom could also be utilized in relief roles during the opener.