Cubs place Cade Horton on the 15-day IL with a right rib fracture, likely sidelining him through at least the NLDS. Jordan Wicks is recalled to add rotation depth as Horton’s status remains uncertain; the earliest return could be Oct. 10, with further roster rules complicating a possible NLDS Game 5 start. The Cubs’ current rotation features Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea, and Javier Assad, with Horton’s absence reshaping the workload and bullpen planning.

Baseball Prospectus notes rib fractures typically require a lengthy recovery, averaging about 88 days in recent data, underscoring the risk of a short-term return. Horton, 24, posted a 2.67 ERA across 118 innings in 22 starts, leaving Chicago with strong but thinner depth if he cannot contribute. The Cubs are navigating postseason substitution rules as they prepare for the Wild Card Series and NLDS.

Cubs and Cardinals close the 2025 season with a symbolic, battle-for-mentorship series as both clubs lean into a transition. Probables tilt Cubs-ward with Colin Rea against Miles Mikolas, Taillon vs Liberatore, and McGreevy lining up Sunday, while Javier Assad could start or join a bullpen-heavy plan if home-field is secured. A two-win grab would vault Chicago into home-field for the Wild Card round against San Diego, setting up a brisk, evaluative finale before spring returns.

Fantasy angles loom large: the Cardinals feature nascent star Masyn Winn and veteran backbone Nolan Arenado, while the Cubs lean on Taillon, Rea, and a possible Assad appearance to bridge the rotation. The finale is less about titles and more about who earns a deeper look for 2026, and which veterans or rookies close out the year with momentum. See you next spring.

Moises Ballesteros tied a historic Cubs milestone with his first major-league home run, a line-drive shot that Rizzo literally snagged back for luck at Wrigley as the ceremony honored the beloved ex-Cub. Chicago built a 3-0 edge behind Rea, but Tampa Bay surged late, fueling a 5-4 comeback as the bullpen couldn’t hold. Busch answered with a homer for Chicago, Caminero and Keller supplied the late power, and the ninth offered a glimmer of hope that Chicago couldn’t convert. Imanaga prepares for Sunday.

Rockies 6, Cubs 5 at Coors Field: Happ’s eighth-inning three-run homer tied the game, but Daniel Palencia couldn’t seal the deal in the ninth as two Rockies hits quickly ended it. Chicago had jumped early with Busch and Suzuki driving runs, yet starter Matthew Boyd wiggled through six, leaving the bullpen exposed. The loss completes a 5-4 trip in Colorado, complicating the wild-card chase with 25 games left. Cubs now head home to host Atlanta in a pivotal series.