Chicago Cubs Lineup (9/23/24): Pearson Starting Bullpen Game, Vazquez SS, Tauchman LF
Have you ever had an event that required you to dress up and be “on” for an extended period of time, after which you were worn out physically and mentally? You just want to change into something comfortable and zone out for a while. Well, that’s pretty much the Cubs right now after being eliminated from the postseason following Saturday’s game. The regulars will get more rest as they mail in the remaining six games.
Under-the-radar pickup Nate Pearson will serve as the opener tonight as Craig Counsell opts for a bullpen game. That might bear a little significance, as there’s been some talk about Pearson possibly being given a chance to start next season. He came up through the minors with the Blue Jays as a starter and could find success in that role if he can improve his fastball location and develop a legit offspeed pitch.
Pearson averages 98 mph on the four-seam, but he doesn’t elevate it well enough to be effective in longer outings. Finding a way to get it into the upper third of the zone more frequently would help a lot, but so would having a changeup that keeps hitters off the fastball. Given their long run of having the softest-tossing rotation in baseball, giving Pearson a look makes a ton of sense.
📍 Citizens Bank Park
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They’re facing Aaron Nola, who’s having yet another solid season in Philly. The 31-year-old righty is making his 32nd start, giving him six straight full seasons with at least that many. If he doesn’t get another shot after this in 2024, it’ll be his fourth consecutive campaign with exactly 32 starts. The righty alternates good and meh seasons, typically seeing his ERA fluctuate by at least one run from one to the next.
Nola’s 3.54 ERA this year is less than a run below last year’s 4.46, which is only the second time in his career he’s had such a small variation from the previous. Guess that means he’s going to shut the Cubs down and lower that mark to keep the trend alive. Because he’s been around for so long at this point, there’s not much to say about him that you don’t already know or assume.
His fastball is still in that same 92-93 mph range, though he throws it less than 28% of the time now. The knuckle curve is Nola’s bread and butter, leading the way at nearly 33% usage and a run value of 10 that puts it among the best breaking balls in the game. It’s got sharp 12-6 movement and ends up at the bottom of the zone, making it a tremendous foil for the cut fastball that works in the upper third to the glove side.
The cutter, sinker, and change have all been subpar, but this is a dude who can still have those days when everything is working. Philly still has a lot to play for, whether it’s securing the NL East or playing for the top overall seed. They’re five games up on the Mets with six to play and are one game behind the Dodgers for the league’s best record. As such, the Cubs are going to get both barrels in all three games.
This is the first full series in which the Cubs have nothing but pride to play for, which is nice for those who’ve been spending more emotional energy than they probably should have for the last few weeks. First pitch is at 5:40pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.