Cubs turn to Kevin Gausman for Game 2 vs. Padres but Wild Card elimination feels inevitable

The vibes surrounding the Chicago Cubs couldn't be any lower. It was no surprise that the San Diego Padres were the hottest team in baseball as the playoffs arrived, but there was some expectation that the Cubs could still make it a competitive series. That feels like an uphill climb after Game 1, and tasked with getting the Cubs back on track in Game 2 on Wednesday night will be Kevin Gausman.

Craig Counsell confirmed that Gausman will get the start for the Cubs tonight, and it comes after his status was in question over the past week. Gausman had been dealing with left shoulder discomfort, but the indication is that he's healthy. Speaking with reporters last night, Gausman credited the training staff, but in doing so, may not have offered the strongest confirmation that he's fully healthy.

“It speaks volumes to the training staff here,” Gausman said, “everything they’ve done to get me to this point to be able to go out there tomorrow, and feel good to go out there. I don’t know if we felt this way a couple days ago. That’s always a good sign.”

Cubs turn to Kevin Gausman for crucial Game 2 but confidence couldn't possibly feel lower

Moments like what the Cubs will be facing on Wednesday night in an elimination game is why they traded for Gausman at the deadline. He was struggling with the Toronto Blue Jays, but the hope was that being inserted into a playoff push would revive the Gausman that turned back the clock against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series last October.

Instead, the version of Gausman that the Cubs received has very much been the one who was having up-and-down performances in Toronto to start the season. Through nine starts with the Cubs during the regular season, Gausman had an ERA of 4.83. If there is a silver lining, Gausman's strikeout rate with the Cubs jumped over 27%, and that swing-and-miss is what the Cubs will need on Wednesday to keep the Padres' offense at bay.

History isn't on the Cubs' side, and they've certainly been in this position before. That said, given how the Cubs stumbled into the playoffs, this feels like a fitting end to a season that just never quite got right. Perhaps, if only for one night, the Cubs can avoid the fate that awaits them.

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