CHICAGO — The celebration at Wrigley Field after the Cubs’ NLDS Game 1 victory was loud, electric, and soaked in confidence. But behind the clubhouse doors, one question is tearing through the coaching staff, analysts, and fans alike: Who should start Game 2?
Manager Craig Counsell isn’t saying much, but his silence is louder than any press statement. “We have options,” he said briefly on Sunday night. Options — yes, but choices that could define the Cubs’ October destiny.
After Cade Horton’s dazzling rookie campaign and the veteran steadiness of Justin Steele, Counsell’s decision is less about numbers and more about philosophy. Does he lean into youth and fire, or trust the experienced arm that’s been here before?
Analysts across Chicago sports radio are split. Former Cub Ryan Dempster called Horton “a wild card who could steal the show,” while others warn the moment might be too big, too soon. “The kid’s got ice in his veins,” Dempster said, “but playoff lights burn hotter than anyone expects.”
Meanwhile, Steele’s quiet consistency can’t be ignored. The lefty’s ERA since the All-Star break sits below 3.00, and his command against left-handed hitters has been surgical. “He’s our anchor,” said catcher Yan Gomes. “You give Justin the ball, and the clubhouse exhales.”
Still, whispers around the Cubs’ analytics department hint that Horton’s stuff — the electric fastball, the biting slider — might be exactly what neutralizes the Dodgers’ right-handed-heavy lineup. One insider told the Chicago Tribune, “The Dodgers feast on predictability. Horton’s unpredictability is his greatest weapon.”
But there’s also something emotional at play. Horton isn’t just pitching for a win — he’s pitching for a story. The 23-year-old has spent the season proving he belongs, rescuing the Cubs’ rotation when injuries hit hard. His poise under pressure has turned him from a prospect into a phenomenon.
As Wrigley’s ivy rustles in the October wind, fans remember the faces of Cubs history — Wood, Zambrano, Arrieta — men who once carried the city’s heartbeat on their throwing arm. Now, it might be Horton’s turn.
Still, Counsell’s reputation is built on balance and precision. He’s not the type to make sentimental calls. “We’ll pick whoever gives us the best shot to win,” he said — a statement that’s technically correct, but emotionally hollow to a fan base that craves legends, not spreadsheets.
If Steele takes the mound, it’ll be a vote for experience. If Horton gets the nod, it’ll be a declaration that the new Cubs era has officially arrived. Either way, Game 2 isn’t just another playoff matchup — it’s a crossroad.
The decision is expected by Monday morning. But in the heart of Wrigleyville, fans are already taking sides. Posters reading “Start Horton” wave in the autumn chill, while others chant Steele’s name like an anthem from 2016.
As one fan shouted outside the ballpark:
“We don’t just want to win — we want a story that lasts.”
And that’s what makes this question burn so bright. In a season full of redemption and revival, maybe the real win isn’t who starts Game 2 — it’s that the Cubs are finally back in a position to argue about October baseball again.
Leave a Reply