Overview
- The best-of-three opens Tuesday between Chicago and San Diego, with the venue still to be determined by the final regular-season games.
- After the Cubs’ Friday win, they can secure home-field with one more victory or a Padres loss, while San Diego must win out and get help to host.
- Cubs manager Craig Counsell says rookie Cade Horton is a go despite a back MRI showing areas of concern, leaving him in play for a Game 1 or 2 start.
- San Diego plans to start Nick Pivetta in Game 1, with Yu Darvish, Michael King, Dylan Cease and Randy Vásquez in contention for the remaining starts.
- The Padres will be without Ramón Laureano due to a fractured right index finger as they prepare for a lefty-heavy Cubs staff featuring Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga and multiple lefty relievers.