The weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals still has playoff implications in the National League wild card picture. Because of that, the Cubs lineup will continue to feature the team regulars.
But after Sunday, when the Cubs make their last road trip to Colorado and Arizona, that is likely to change.
“No doubt about it,” manager Dale Sveum said Friday. “We’ll be giving other guys paying time and evaluate a little bit against Colorado. We’ll see where Arizona is [the Diamondbacks currently are 5 1/2 games out of of a wild card spot], but we’ll change it up a little.”
Sveum said bullpen workhorses Shawn Camp and James Russell already know they won’t be used anymore in games the Cubs trail. Both are among the league leaders in appearances and relief innings. “We’re committed to keeping them out of games we’re not winning. But the [Rafael] Dolises and [Alberto] Cabreras and [Jaye] Chapmans–we’ll get a good look at them the next 12 games,” Sveum said.
The players who are likely to continue playing include second baseman Darwin Barney, who is pursuing a major league record for errorless games in a season, and shortstop Starlin Castro.
“I don’t think Barney will be going anywhere in the lineup,” Sveum said. “With the off day Monday, I think he’ll be ready. He’s been battle tested.”
