Padres catch a break with Cubs short a key starter for the NL Wild Card Series

The MLB Playoffs have a way of reshaping themselves in the final 72 hours, and the Cubs just felt that reality hit square in the ribs — literally. Chicago will enter the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres without one of the arms that helped stabilize their summer, a late twist that forces Craig Counsell to redraw his October blueprint. For San Diego, it doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does tilt the early-game matchups in their favor.

Cade Horton’s absence isn’t just a missing name on the lineup card; it’s a different style of game. He’s been a reliable rookie who pounds the zone, keeps traffic light, lets the defense work. Those are exactly the traits managers cling to in the postseason. Take that out of the equation and you’re asking a bullpen to cover stress innings sooner, or a spot starter to survive the top of the order twice.

Padres get a boost with Cubs’ Cade Horton out for the NL Wild Card Series

The Cubs placed Horton on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to September 25) with a non-displaced right rib fracture, a development that arrived just days after he left Tuesday’s start with back soreness. An MRI later pointed the training staff toward the ribcage. There were glimmers of hope, Horton played catch in the outfield and was lined up for a bullpen session, but that optimism gave way to roster reality. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was recalled to cover the final weekend and give Chicago another path through the first round.

Awards voters are still going to circle Horton’s name this year. In his debut season, he put up a 2.67 ERA across 118 innings. Dig a layer deeper and the indicators explain part of the ride: a modest 20.4% strikeout rate, a .258 BABIP, and a 78.3 percent strand rate that broke in his favor. The foundation, especially a clean 6.9 percent walk rate would’ve played well in a short series.

Meanwhile, the Padres look prepared to set the tone early. Nick Pivetta is lined up for Game 1 with Michael King for Game 2, a one-two built to chase whiffs and make hitters expand late in counts. 

Injuries don’t hand out tickets to the NLDS, but they do create moments to seize. The Cubs will try to keep the game on their terms. The Padres’ job is simpler to say and harder to do — jump first, pile pressure, and make Chicago manage from behind. October is about exploiting the smallest openings. Horton’s IL stint has created one. Now it’s on San Diego to drive through it.

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