Smyly (1-0) tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Pirates. He allowed three hits and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

It was an excellent team debut for Smyly, who didn't join the Cubs until March 19. The veteran lefty has had some success before, including his respectable 4.48 ERA across 23 starts with Atlanta last season. Chicago is currently without Alec Mills (back), Wade Miley (elbow) and Adbert Alzolay (lat), so Smyly should be entrenched in the rotation for now, and he could stick there all year if he pitches well. He's currently slated to start again Sunday against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Cubs manager David Ross confirmed Tuesday that Smyly will make his first start of the regular season Sunday against the Brewers in Chicago, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even though he didn't sign with the Cubs until March 19, Smyly advanced far enough along in his throwing program to be included in the team's Opening Day rotation. He'll start the final contest of the Cubs' four-game season-opening series in Milwaukee, with the lefty's placement of fourth in the pitching schedule allowing Chicago to break up right-handers Marcus Stroman and Alec Mills. Stroman will start Saturday, while Mills will get his first turn next week in Pittsburgh.

Smyly has been told he'll be a starter for the Cubs to begin the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB,com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly worked as a starter and as a reliever at times for Atlanta last season, but the Cubs will need the lefty to start with Adbert Alzolay (lat) and Wade Miley (elbow) currently out. The eventual return of those two injured pitchers could push Smyly into a long-relief role, though the veteran could stick in the rotation if he pitches well early in the year.

Smyly pitched two scoreless innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

This was Smyly's first game action of the spring after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Cubs a week ago. The lefty started 23 games for Atlanta last season, registering a 4.48 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 126.2 innings of work. He'll likely slot in at the back of Chicago's rotation to begin the year, particularly with Adbert Alzolay (lat) currently on the 60-day injured list.

Smyly signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly spent time with four teams across the last three seasons, and he'll now join the Cubs' pitching staff ahead of the 2022 campaign. He made 29 appearances (23 starts) for Atlanta last year and posted a 4.48 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 126.2 innings. The southpaw will be in the mix for a back-end rotation role heading into the regular season, but he's also demonstrated an ability to serve as a middle reliever.

Smyly (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two in 3.1 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly worked behind an opener in Wednesday's matchup and gave up two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but he was rewarded with his first playoff win of the year while making his first 2021 postseason appearance. The southpaw tossed 56 pitches Wednesday, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available in relief later in the series.

Smyly (11-4) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Mets after tossing three scoreless innings, giving up one hit and two walks while fanning three.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly piggybacked Jesse Chavez's two-inning start and was effective enough to earn his 11th win of the campaign. If Saturday was his final outing of the regular season, he'll end the year on a strong note with six straight appearances allowing one or fewer runs. He enters the final day of the regular season posting a 4.48 ERA through 126.2 innings across 29 appearances (23 starts).

Smyly (10-4) got the win in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over Arizona, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly followed opener Jesse Chavez, who pitched 1.1 innings, and entered with a 1-0 lead that eventually grew to 4-0 in the third inning. The 32-year-old delivered a quality outing in his first multi-inning performance since being dropped from the rotation at the beginning of September and Smyly could follow Chavez again Sunday against San Diego.

Smyly won't start during the four-game series against the Rockies that begins Thursday, and manager Brian Snitker said he's unsure how the left-hander will be utilized going forward, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smyly last pitched Monday against the Dodgers and surrendered five runs in 4.2 innings, raising his ERA to 5.30 in eight outings since the All-Star break. Touki Toussaint will rejoin the rotation Thursday at Colorado, while Smyly's role is in flux after giving up seven homers in his past two starts.

Smyly (9-4) took the loss in Monday's 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing five runs on nine hits with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Los Angeles' powerful lineup got to Smyly early and often, as the 32-year-old surrendered four home runs in the game's first three innings. He was fortunate that three of them were of the solo variety, but the early 5-0 deficit proved insurmountable for Atlanta. The loss is Smyly's first since May 26, a stretch that included seven victories in 14 starts.