Cubs Playoff Rotation: Does Shota get a Spot?

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! Jesse looks back at the Cubs’ season and reacts to audio from Jed Hoyer’s end-of-season press conference as the organization begins turning its attention toward the offseason. Jesse breaks down some of the biggest questions coming out of the postseason, including why Clay Holmes did not make a playoff appearance and how the Cubs should evaluate their starting rotation moving forward. Plus, Jesse looks ahead to the offseason, discussing the Cubs’ upcoming free agents, potential roster decisions and the biggest issues facing Jed Hoyer and the front office as they begin building the next version of the team.

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! The Chicago Cubs are headed into a Wild Card showdown with the San Diego Padres, and Jesse is breaking down everything that could decide the series. On this episode of Inside the Friendly Confines, Jesse looks at the Cubs-Padres pitching matchups, how Chicago should set up its playoff rotation and whether the Cubs bullpen can hold up under postseason pressure. He also examines Alex Bregman’s breakout game against Boston and what it could mean for the Cubs offense heading into October.

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! Jesse is breaking down what comes next as Chicago fights to secure home-field advantage heading into October.

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! Chicago Cubs GM Carter Hawkins joins Jesse for a wide-ranging conversation about the team’s playoff push and what lies ahead in October. Plus, Hawkins gives a behind-the-scenes look at his day-to-day role as Cubs general manager and what goes into managing the constant decisions, conversations and preparation required to run a Major League Baseball team.

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! In this episode of Inside the Friendly Confines, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers breaks down the Cubs’ playoff rotation and bullpen options as Chicago prepares for October. Jesse makes the case for using an opener in Game 1 and explains why Shota Imanaga should get a postseason start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He also looks at the rest of the rotation and asks whether David Peterson could be an option to start a playoff game.

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! David Kaplan joins Jesse to break down the Cubs playoff push! Kap explains why he believes the Cubs might still be missing a true top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher — the kind of ace who can take the mound in October and give you confidence you’re going to win. He also talks about why Pete Crow-Armstrong has become his favorite player he’s ever covered

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! On this episode of Inside the Friendly Confines, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers breaks down the Craig Counsell's decision to pinch hit BJ Murray for Carson Kelly. Jesse also takes a hard look at the Cubs bullpen, which has struggled at a critical point in the season. You’ll hear sound from Counsell on the state of the bullpen and how he plans to manage it moving forward.

The Cubs’ division hopes took a major hit after their loss to the Brewers, but can they hold off the Phillies and secure a Wild Card spot? Jesse Rogers breaks down Craig Counsell’s bullpen decision-making before Cubs Bench Coach Ryan Flaherty joins the show to discuss PCA’s MVP leap, the daily responsibilities of an MLB bench coach and Chicago’s final push toward the playoffs. #Cubs #ChicagoCubs #PeteCrowArmstrong #MLB #RyanFlaherty ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota!

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! In a special episode, Jesse sits down with Cubs Infielder Nico Hoerner to discuss the lessons he learned growing up. The guys also discuss Nico's defense and more!

ESPN MLB insider Jesse Rogers takes you beyond the headlines and inside the game with the kind of Northside Baseball access only he can deliver. Presented by Arlington Toyota! On this episode of Inside the Friendly Confines, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers breaks down how the Cubs are handling Shota Imanaga down the stretch and what his role could look like as Chicago fights for a spot in the postseason. You’ll also hear from Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Imanaga and the bullpen as the team manages its pitching staff for the stretch run. Plus, Jesse shares comments from Cubs legends Jon Lester and Jody Davis as each reflects on earning a spot in the Cubs Hall of Fame and what the honor means to them.