Padres Start Dylan Cease at Wrigley

The San Diego Padres will start right-hander Dylan Cease in Game 2 at Wrigley Field. Cease posted a 4.55 ERA on the year but finished strong with a 3.12 September ERA and a five-inning outing vs. the Brewers in which he struck out eight and allowed one run. San Diego chose Cease over Michael King, who has been dealing with a shoulder nerve issue and knee problems, with Yu Darvish penciled in for an if-necessary Game 3, manager Mike Shildt said. The Cubs announced Andrew Kittredge will open Game 2 and is expected to hand bulk innings to Shota Imanaga; Kittredge had a 3.32 ERA and 0.83 WHIP during the regular season. The opener plan is designed to limit Imanaga’s times through the Padres’ lineup after he showed early-game and first-time-through struggles late in the season.