Chicago Cubs: Two aces in the hole for postseason success

Despite back-to-back deflating walk-off losses and their lead atop the Wild Card standings being reduced to two games, the Chicago Cubs are still in a good place right now.

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They’re 18 games above .500 and currently boasting a 98-plus percent likelihood of making the playoffs. The team, for the most part, looks locked in and brimming with confidence as injured pitchers begin to work themselves back on to the roster and several key offensive pieces have started to click.

The Cubs may also have a couple of aces in the hole when it comes to pushing deep into postseason play.

Matt Shaw’s role

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Matt Shaw recently began his minor league rehab assignment after a long and frustrating wrist injury that kept him sidelined since June 28. In limited play so far with the Iowa Cubs, Chicago’s 2023 number one draft pick has looked sharp.

He’s also been getting playing time at second base during this assignment, something which likely tips the Cubs’ hand that they may look to plug him into that spot when he gets ready to return to the majors. With shortstop Dansby Swanson dealing with an oblique injury for at least 4-6 weeks and Nico Hoerner moving over to cover that spot, Shaw playing in his more natural second base spot seems like a no-brainer, even if he’s working in a platoon with switch-hitting rookie Pedro Ramirez.

But even if he remains in his role as a super-sub bench asset, Shaw will be an important piece to the Cubs’ postseason puzzle. He’s a guy who has been used at every position but pitcher, catcher, and shortstop this season and someone with the wheels to make him a valuable pinch runner when relegated to the bench. He’s also upped his offensive game from last season and can be an asset, especially against left-handed pitching.

Chris Pownall of Da Windy City talked a bit about Shaw’s potential importance to this playoff-bound team:

“He lost his permanent position at third base when Chicago signed Bregman, but that move may have accidentally prepared him for a far more valuable October role.

Shaw can serve as a late game replacement, provide insurance across the diamond or enter the lineup against a favorable pitching matchup. If Swanson’s recovery extends into October, however, Shaw could become something more than a utility option.”

Hoby Milner back in the pen

Meanwhile, among pitchers, Hoby Milner could be the team’s other ace in the hole.

Milner was put on the shelf in late June following an emergency appendectomy and is now several games deep into his own rehab assignment in Iowa.

While other recovering Cubs pitchers—like Justin Steele, Ben Brown, and Shelby Miller capture all the headlines—Milner’s return could mean more to the team and its postseason chances than any other reliever right now.

The veteran lefty, healthy and productive, could step into the bullpen and finally allow the Cubs to cut loose veteran Caleb Thielbar, who is posting a 5.35 ERA through 46 appearances and kept his roster spot as one of only two healthy left-handed relief options along with the surprising Ryan Rolison.

The Cubs will be in a much better spot with Milner in the pen.

Shaw and Milner could be key factors to the Cubs’ postseason success, even if they currently fall a little under the radar.

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