Overview
- The Cubs lost 8-2 in 12 innings on Tuesday after going 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position and leaving 15 men on base, a result that produced an 87-70 tie with the Phillies and Padres with five games remaining.
- Chicago holds the head-to-head tiebreakers over Philadelphia and San Diego, so identical final records would give the Cubs the top wild-card seed.
- Manager Craig Counsell scheduled Kevin Gausman to start Wednesday as the team works to set its final regular-season rotation and shape a postseason plan.
- Left-hander Justin Steele will throw a bullpen Wednesday as the club evaluates activating him for the Boston series, a move that would require clearing a 40-man and active-roster spot.
- The Cubs will finish the regular season without Alex Bregman because of facial fractures, and forecasted heavy rain in Boston could force schedule changes that would further complicate pitching and roster decisions.