The Chicago Cubs will start left-hander Matthew Boyd in Game 1 of their wild-card series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night, opposite righty Michael King. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed right-hander Kevin Gausman, who has been dealing with left shoulder soreness, will pitch in the series but was noncommittal about his role beyond the opener.

Alex Bregman's defensive availability remains uncertain after he suffered multiple fractures to his left cheek area on Sept. 20. He returned as a designated hitter and went 4-for-4 with two home runs on Sunday. While he took ground balls at third base Monday, Counsell noted the fractures are not healed, and his ability to play the field depends on pain and mobility. The Cubs would start Pedro Ramirez or Matt Shaw at third base if Bregman is slotted at DH.

Padres manager Craig Stammen was coy about Game 2 and 3 plans, but Nick Pivetta is expected to start Game 2, with Robbie Ray or Walker Buehler potentially opening Game 3. For the Cubs, Boyd limited the Padres to one run in 4 1/3 innings in last year's wild-card Game 1. Gausman, Clay Holmes, Shota Imanaga, and David Peterson remain options for Games 2 and 3, or could be used out of the bullpen in Game 1. Counsell emphasized that roles don't matter in a best-of-three series: "We just have to figure out how to get 27 outs."