Cubs reveal Kevin Gausman Wild Card plans while Blue Jays already lurk for offseason reunion

Shortly after naming Matthew Boyd as the Game 1 starter for their Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres, Craig Counsell confirmed that Kevin Gausman is scheduled to pitch during the series. Gausman had been dealing with left shoulder discomfort over the past week.

Gausman was slated to be the Cubs' Game 1, but after the injury, it felt like plans were altered. While Counsell did confirm that Gausman would pitch during the series against the Padres, he didn't confirm how the rotation will be lined up after Boyd.

With confirmation that Gausman will be on the Wild Card roster, it seems logical to suggest he will get the start in Game 2 on Wednesday night. As for Game 3, that leaves Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and Shota Imanaga.

Of course, plans are also dependent on what happens on Tuesday night. If the Cubs lose on Tuesday night, chances are Counsell would be willing to use Gausman, Holmes, Peterson, and Imanaga on Wednesday night if it meant the Cubs avoiding elimination. Pitching plans can quickly be upended during the playoffs, though, that's a reality the Cubs have been forced to live with for most of the year.

Kevin Gausman is ready for Cubs' playoff plans, but could already know his offseason plans

While Gausman is good to go for the Wild Card series, a report out of Toronto suggests he already knows where he's headed this offseason. The Athletic's Mitch Bannon reports that there's a chance Gausman retires this offseason, but if he doesn't, a return to the Blue Jays feels likely.

The Cubs are expected to prioritize pitching this offseason, and considering how they have operated in past years, it would be fair to assume that Gausman would be in tier of free-agent pitchers that Jed Hoyer and Co. are comfortable spending on.

When the Cubs first traded for Gausman, the impression was that there would be some interest in the two sides working out a deal that allowed the veteran to remain in Chicago beyond this season. It wasn't the strongest of runs for Gausman with the Cubs, posting an ERA of 4.83 through nine starts. It's enough of a sample size for the Cubs to likely look elsewhere this offseason before entertaining a new deal with Gausman.

Given that the Cubs finished the regular season 14 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers, they have to chase larger additions for the rotation. How they've operated in the past, looking for value in pitchers like Gausman, hasn't been a blueprint of success in terms of winning the National League Central.

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