Chicago

Cubs

Boyd allowed one run through five, but he gave up a single and a double in the sixth and both runners came around to score after he was lifted. The result upped Boyd’s ERA to 4.05, but he was perfectly fine. Maybe he’ll get more support Sunday against the Marlins.

Palencia took over with a 3-1 lead and two on in the sixth and quickly gave up a run-scoring balk. His bad break came afterwards, as Seiya Suzuki, worried about the wall in Wrigley Field, alligator-armed a fly down the right field line to give Andrew Vaughn a double. That wasn’t at all Palencia’s fault, but the two-run homer that Christian Yelich hit afterwards was. Palencia has surrendered six runs in 3 1/3 innings over four appearances since coming off the IL. The good news is that his stuff is fine, and he could still very much be a key piece in a postseason run for the Cubs. However, since it doesn’t look like he’ll resume closing anytime soon, he’s probably not worth rostering in mixed leagues right now.

Ramírez takes a seat for the second straight contest due to back spasms. The 22-year-old rookie infielder is presumably available off the bench, if needed. It’ll be Matt Shaw taking over at second base and hitting ninth.

Ferguson has been up-and-down as middle relief depth for the Cubs, making 16 appearances since being acquired from the Athletics in early May. He’s back as a September call-up to fortify Chicago’s bullpen.

Murray will occupy a spot on Chicago’s bench as a September call-up. The 26-year-old gets his first chance in the majors after hitting .294/.395/.500 with 16 homers across 516 plate appearances for Triple-A Iowa this year.

Suzuki’s home run was his 24th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Kyle Harrison in the fourth inning. Suzuki had six home runs and 19 RBI in 27 games in August. He’s hitting .278 with an .865 OPS and 80 RBI this year.

Bregman now has 23 home runs on the year. He hit a pair of shots off Kyle Harrison in the second and fourth innings before adding another blast off a position player pitching in the eighth inning. Bregman now has 12 home runs in his last 23 games and has two games with three home runs in that span. He’s hitting .258 with a .785 OPS and 77 this season.

Holmes gave up five hits, walked two and struck out eight. He improved to 6-6 with the win. Holmes dominated the Brewers while the Cubs scored nine runs while he was still in the game, leading to an easy victory. Holmes allowed four runs in his first start with the Cubs, but has since allowed only one earned run in 25 innings (0.36 ERA) over his last four starts. He has a 2.09 ERA this year. Holmes is lined up to face the Marlins on the road this weekend.

Steele is attempting to make it back to Chicago as a reliever for the postseason after suffering a flexor strain a couple months ago that delayed his return from last year’s elbow surgery. The 31-year-old lefty can be ignored in fantasy leagues, but his return should provide a lift for the Cubs in the postseason. He’s going to need at least a week or two of rehab appearances before he’s an option for Chicago’s bullpen.

Matt Shaw gets a look at the keystone for the first time since coming off the injured list. Ramírez is day-to-day for the final three games of the series. The 22-year-old rookie has been excellent for the Cubs, hitting .285/.347/.436 with four homers, 24 RBI and seven steals across 191 plate appearances. He’s emerged as a viable everyday option at second base with Nico Hoerner covering shortstop while Dansby Swanson is out.