Kevin Gausman left Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Miami with left-shoulder discomfort; his next start is uncertain. The Cubs missed a second straight chance to clinch, and their Boston series opens Friday with a split doubleheader because of a severe-weather threat.
Gausman struck out seven and was hurt while making a diving tag at first base later in the sixth, after Kyle Stowers’ two-run homer. He said his shoulder still felt weak and that he would seek treatment, without committing to his next turn. Chicago was preparing for a possible best-of-three Wild Card Series beginning Sept. 29 if it qualifies.
At 87-71, Chicago was tied with Philadelphia for the NL’s second wild-card spot, one game behind San Diego, and held head-to-head tiebreakers over both. After Thursday’s home game against Miami, the Cubs were scheduled to play two in Boston Friday: the moved Sunday game at 1:05 p.m. ET and another at 6:05 p.m. Saturday’s 7:15 p.m. game remained scheduled as MLB and the teams monitored the forecast. Chicago went 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position in its two latest losses.
