MILWAUKEE — In response to the Brewers’ decision to throw left-hander Aaron Ashby as an opener, Cubs manager Craig Counsell made one notable change to his lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
He put veteran first baseman Justin Turner in for Michael Busch at the leadoff spot.
“Essentially, this is a guy that’s tough on left-handed hitters,” Counsell said. “This is the at-bat [and] these are the matchups that we signed him for.”
Busch has fared well in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitchers, which may have contributed to the Brewers’ pitching plan. After an .854 OPS in that spot during the regular season, he belted a leadoff homer in Game 1 on Saturday against right-hander Freddy Peralta.
Starting Turner allowed the Cubs to otherwise roll out their usual lineup for a right-handed pitcher, expecting a short outing from Ashby. It also forced Ashby to immediately face two right-handed hitters, with Busch ready to enter against a more favorable matchup. He came in to pinch-hit for Turner against right-hander Jacob Misiorowski in the fourth.
“There’s nerves going into every game,” Turner said beforehand. “If you’re not nervous, there’s probably something wrong with you or you’re lying. That’s all part of it, though. I think if you didn’t feel something, then maybe it’s time to find something else to do.”
Monday was Turner’s first postseason appearance as a Cub and the 87th of his career. At 40 years, 317 days, he became the oldest Cub to appear in a playoff game, ahead of Gary Gaetti in 1998 (40 years, 45 days), according to team historian Ed Hartig.
“Justin’s kind of the godfather of playoff experience for our guys,” Counsell said. “There’s no moment that Justin Turner is not going to be prepared for and ready for.”
His fly out in the first was a non-factor as the teams took turns hitting three-run home runs. In the second, he was the last batter to face Ashby, lining a two-out single to left before right-hander Nick Mears took the mound.
Chourio right back at it
When outfielder Jackson Chourio left in the second inning of Game 1 with a hamstring issue after three hits in his first three at-bats, it looked as though the Brewers might have to manage without him for a game or more. However, he was back in the leadoff spot Monday, playing left field.
“It’s the mental hurdle,” manager Pat Murphy said. “I’m sure [the hamstring is] not 100%, but I’m more worried about behavior than feelings. However he feels isn’t as important as how he behaves.”
Murphy added he’d pull Chourio if the injury was bothering him to the point he felt he couldn’t do his job. He went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the fourth that made it 7-3 Brewers.
Next step for Horton
The Cubs hope right-hander Cade Horton (fractured rib) can throw a light “touch-and-feel” session off the mound Tuesday, progressing from pitching on flat ground. Counsell said the team has received nothing but good news on Horton’s condition since putting him on the 15-day injured list a little over a week ago.
“Every throwing session has been pain-free and pushing it a little bit more,” Counsell said. “So we keep trying to take steps forward, and we’ll continue to do that with even more intensity [Tuesday] at Wrigley.”
