Cubs reveal NLDS roster and lineup for Game 1 vs. Brewers (with a shocking addition)

The biggest question mark with regard to the Chicago Cubs' playoff roster for their NLDS series against the Milwaukee Brewers was the status of rookie starting pitcher Cade Horton. After missing the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres, there was hope that Horton would be available against the Brewers. Instead, the Cubs ruled Horton out for the NLDS, and there seems to be an increasing likelihood that he will be shut down for the remainder of the playoffs.

With the Horton question answered, the rest of the Cubs' roster for their series against the Brewers was released on Saturday morning, and there was a surprise with the pitching staff.

The biggest surprise is that Ben Brown made the roster over Javier Assad. Assad was a dependable swing-man for the Cubs' pitching staff toward the end of the regular season, and Brown, while featuring some of the best swing-and-miss stuff of any pitcher on the Cubs' roster, struggled to the tune of a 5.92 ERA this season.

The Cubs also posted their starting lineup for Saturday's Game 1.

Cubs' Game 1 lineup features low-key change that could matter

In a world where Kyle Tucker was able to play right field, it's possible that the Cubs would have rolled out a lineup that saw Tucker return to the outfield with Seiya Suzuki in left field and Moises Ballesteros opening the series as the team's designated hitter. Ian Happ has struggled against Brewers' starting pitcher Freddy Peralta throughout his career, but Tucker is still working through a calf injury, which is probably what kept Happ in the lineup.

Starting on short rest for the Cubs on Saturday, the expectation is that Matthew Boyd won't have a long leash in Game 1. After not making the roster for the Wild Card series, Brown is active and could be who Craig Counsell turns to after Boyd departs from the game. With the Cubs coming off an off day on Friday and having an off day on Sunday, Counsell can keep his foot on the gas pedal with how he deploys his bullpen on Saturday.

It will also be interesting to see if Counsell uses his bench more in the NLDS. While the Cubs did carry more position players than pitchers in their Wild Card series against the Padres, Counsell seemed to double down on the defense that was in the team's starting lineup. The extended series likely does give Counsell an opportunity to be more creative against his former team.

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