With Wrigley Field rocking, the Cubs are setting the stage for a big trade deadline

CHICAGO — In an ideal world, the Chicago Cubs might have lined up Cade Horton and Justin Steele at the front of their playoff rotation, unleashing two homegrown pitchers with unique stuff and competitive edges to their personalities. The reality of a 162-game season, though, hits hard and fast.The managers of the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, two big-market teams with playoff expectations, were fired before the end of April. The No. 1 projected free agent this coming winter, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, needs surgery on his left elbow. Even Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar, is mired in an offensive slump.