Cubs have just one shot to rescue lineup before Game 3 disaster

The Chicago Cubs' season is on the line tonight when they host the Milwaukee Brewers for Game 3 of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Short of the Cubs playing at home, every indication is that Wednesday will be the last game of their playoff run. Run prevention has been at the center of how the Cubs made their decisions, but considering scoring runs has been one of the biggest issues, Wednesday's game could see Craig Counsell pull a lever has avoided in the playoffs so far.

The lever would be to bench rookie third baseman Matt Shaw. It's been a rollercoaster season for Shaw, struggling mightily during the first half and being optioned back to the minors before returning and showing significant signs of progress during the second half. The caveat to Shaw's second-half success is that there were indications in September that he was in need of another adjustment, and the playoff run has only made that more clear.

Cubs have just one shot to rescue lineup before Game 3 disaster

Shaw is hitless through his 14 plate appearances during the playoffs and is striking out nearly 43% of the time. Shaw's defense is what has kept him in the starting lineup, but faced with an elimination game, the Cubs can't afford to have him in the starting lineup.

If the Cubs had a roster that had a well-constructed bench, taking Shaw out of the lineup likely would have happened already. That would be an issue for the offseason, but as Counsell turns to desperate measures, turning to Willi Castro or Justin Turner at third base to open Game 3 should be the move.

Castro was the Cubs' answer for their need on the bench at the MLB trade deadline, but he struggled considerably since his arrival. Turner has the playoff experience, but with the Brewers throwing Quinn Priester, the right-hander isn't an ideal matchup for the veteran. That said, with Shaw giving the Cubs virtually nothing on offense during the playoffs, Castro or Turner can't be any worse.