Cubs may have just revealed who their Game 1 starter will be

Cade Horton's dominance during the second half of the season hasn't just made him a favorite for the National League Rookie of the Year award, but has made a convincing argument that the 24-year-old should be the Game 1 starter for the Cubs in the postseason. Fresh off clinching a spot in the postseason, the Cubs announced their probable starters for this weekend's four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, and Horton is getting some extra rest.

Cubs giving their potential Game 1 starter some extra rest next week

With Horton being skipped against the Reds this weekend, it seems likely that he will get the start for the Cubs when they return to Wrigley Field next Tuesday to play the New York Mets. It would mark his final start of the regular season and place Horton in line to be the Cubs' Game 1 starter in the National League Wild Card round.

Horton is certainly deserving of that honor, considering his run of dominance has led many to bring up Jake Arrieta's run of excellence in 2015. In 70 innings pitched since July 1, Horton is carrying a 1.29 ERA while striking out over 23% of the hitters he has faced.

Along those lines, the Cubs may also work in some extra rest for Matthew Boyd before the postseason. Boyd has looked tired of late, and the result has been some regression from the All-Star performance he had during the first half of the season.

Assuming Horton is the Game 1 starter for the Cubs, and Shota Imanaga is the Game 2 option, that leaves a major question over what the Cubs would do in a potential Game 3. Boyd's recent struggles could see the Cubs decide to pitch him out of the bullpen. That could mean that the Cubs turn to Jameson Taillon on a short leash in a decisive Game 3 of the Wild Card round.

Regardless of what the Cubs decide for Game 3, there is a tone that needs to be set for Game 1. For that reason, there is no better option than Horton.

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