Cubs release roster for 2025 National League Division Series against Brewers, add Ben Brown
The Cubs’ 26-man roster for the National League Division Series almost mirrors the roster used for the wild-card round against the Padres.
The lone change was swapping out lefty Taylor Rogers for right-hander Ben Brown. Manager Craig Counsell said the rationale behind adding Brown was to give the pitching staff a different stuff mix.
“Ben’s ability to make, to strike somebody out is something that we thought — kind of a little small moment — but that’s something Ben can do,” Counsell said. "[With] the back-end pitchers, frankly, the goal is not to get to them because you get enough from your other guys.”
Brown struggled as a starter this season. He sported a 6.30 ERA over 15 starts. He has an electric arm but struggles with command — Brown’s average fastball velocity was in the 75th percentile during the regular season. The Cubs hope that in shorter spurts, Brown’s velocity can be a positive addition to the bullpen.
Adding Brown meant that right-hander Javier Assad would be left off the roster. Assad missed the majority of the season with a strained left oblique but finished the season strong with a 3.18 ERA over four outings in September.
"[Assad] was under strong consideration for this roster, absolutely,” Counsell said. “It was a difficult decision.”
The pitching staff is still feeling the effects of the wild-card round. Right-hander Andrew Kittredge pitched three straight days, righty Brad Keller pitched 2 1/3 innings and struggled in the clinching game and righty Daniel Palencia pitched three innings over the series.
“Today, I don’t think we can maybe do some things that we we’ve done in the past or done in the previous series,” Counsell said. “But the off days do change bullpen usage 1000%. There’s three off days in a five-game series.That changes what a reliever can do no question about it.”
Matthew Boyd got the nod to start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Brewers. His low pitch count (58) in Game 1 of the wild-card series was a factor in the Cubs being comfortablle with him starting on short rest.
Counsell said Boyd had been clamoring to start Game 1 of the NLDS since he got to the dugout on Tuesday. The team had him warming in the bullpen on Thursday just in case they needed him. Counsell said Boyd was thinking about throwing after Game 3 if the Cubs advanced.
Because of the off day between Game 1 and Game 2, left-hander Shota Imanaga would be lined up to start Game 2 on regular rest. But Counsell said “it’s on the table” for right-hander Jameson Taillon to be available for Game 2 on short rest.
Will Shohei Ohtani Have Pitching Restrictions in Game 1? Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman Answers
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations revealed whether or not two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani would have pitching restrictions in the Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ohtani returned to pitching this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and has been monitored extremely closely by the Dodgers in his recovery. He began his return by pitching one inning per game, and has gradually increased his load as the season has progressed. His last start of the regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks lasted six innings, where he held the D-backs scoreless.
“I just think he’s a normal starting pitcher now,” Friedman said. “(We) kind of eased him along. Just a normal starting pitcher (now).”
Ohtani has never made a start in the postseason, having spent the first six seasons in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels, and will make his October debut on the mound Saturday. If he can replicate his regular season performances, he will be just fine.
The three-time MVP had a 2.87 ERA through 14 starts this season, and struck out 62 batters through just 47 innings. He has a ton of momentum carrying into this start, as he hasn’t allowed a run since pitching against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 27.
He has also been great on the other side of the ball as of late, crushing two home runs in the Dodgers’ opening game of the Wild Card series against the Reds and reaching base safely three times against them in Game 2.
The Dodgers will hope the reigning MVP can make the difference against the Phillies, as the Dodgers are looking to be the first team to win consecutive World Series since the New York Yankees, who won three straight from 1998-2000. The Dodgers’ series against the Phils begins Saturday at 3:38 p.m. PT.
