First of all, the news, then my explanation (because I don’t think there is a reason to panic):
Craig Counsell on the launcher starting tomorrow: “(Brad) Keller is going to be the starter. Cade will be active, but we essentially direct an enclosure game.” pic.twitter.com/re7bmklgpk– Marquee Sports Network (@watchmarquee) May 10, 2025
Brad Keller, formerly a starting launcher, was exclusively a lifter for the Cubs. And a very good to that. His ability to make several rounds would therefore be very useful in an “opener” type, where you hope he can give you two or three sleeves.
But what about Cade Horton? A launcher starting from Trade, who is also the best hope for pitching the system, who is with the team at the moment, and who should be activated tomorrow?
Well, I expect the cubs to do a little game here. Keller will start the game to deal with the big names the first time, remove Horton’s pressure a little, then he will enter the game afterwards without going to what he even goes twice through the command. The Cubs would not activate Horton for the game of tomorrow – and sent someone else – if he did not expect pitch.
If all goes as expected, you would be satisfied with three or four effective sleeves of Horton, following Keller. But you call it a “enclosure game” so that there is no pressure for Horton to do more than give you its best on a few sleeves.
This decision is a tampon against the fact that Horton was limited to around 70 throws in his outings of minor leagues, and also against the introduction of Horton to the big leagues against a handful of better literal drivers in baseball on the road. And you are now making it as slightly more difficult for these playing players for Horton, especially. I understand.
That said, what I don’t necessarily like is that you are now adding an additional wrinkle to the preparation for a prospect who makes his debut in the big league. It will already be difficult and erratic and emotional and anything. And now, are you going to ask him to prepare for semi-delicious? Have I never done it before? I understand that a piggy-back would not be quite the same as relief, but it is still not exactly what it was used to.
I hope it works. I like the idea of using openers in general, and I think Keller is a good option in this regard.
From there, we see what the cubs do with this place in rotation. I always tend to think that cubs want it to be Horton in a more traditional sense, but maybe they have a plan to acclimatize it differently.
