The Cubs heard that Andrej Stojakovic was returning to Illinois and celebrated by tromping the Pirates to start another 10 game streak of the right kind.
Chicago Cubs 2026
2 things for that to happen:
1) Steele comes back sometime during July looking at least 85% of his previous form.
2) Trade for a starter that would at least fit in the #3 slot.
As much as I want to believe that, pitching makes Milwaukee the class of the division. Unless the Cubs make, probably, two major acquisitions at the trade deadline and find some level of reliability in the pen....I just don't see a 92+ win team. Shota seems to have regressed to the Shota of the 2nd half of last season, Boyd is a #3 and injury prone, Cabrera is a #3 and injury prone, Taillon is a #4 and can't keep the ball in the ballpark and Rae should be in the pen. I don't see Steele coming back anytime soon with anything to really give.
The offense, which is really the area of blame for that losing streak, is as Jeckyl and Hyde as it gets. They carried them to TWO 10 game winning streak, but they looked like the worst offense in the league that last two weeks. This was the same situation as last year with the first half vs the second half. The second half regression allowed Milwaukee to run away with the division.
I do think that the Cubs will make the postseason as a Wildcard. I think that the Phillies and Padres will surge, the Cardinals and D-Backs will revert and the Cubs will do enough to get in.
All of that will sort itself out over the next 4 months.
Home plate ump had a rough top of the 9th tonight with the PCA run being called out, then calling a foul tip on Seiya on a pitch that was 6 inches from his bat.
All that said, Cubs look like they're having fun out there.
All that said, Cubs look like they're having fun out there.
That's two. Back in second place.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Seems like it's been a minute since we've seen it, but its a veteran group. They see the big picture.
Good to see Rea get back to hitting his spots. He's been fighting it lately.
Should have Boyd back within a couple of weeks, barring a set back at AAA. Hopefully, he can catch a break and settle back in.
Not sure how much we can bank on Steele being a big addition for the second half. Sounds like Jed still anticipates him being back at some point, but he's still a couple weeks from even trying to throw a baseball...
Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpens, but not simulated games. Sounds like they are going to be extremely careful with him. Unless things go wildly well, he may not be with us either until rosters expand. He's still got some things to prove at AAA.
They are going to have to make a move, if they expect to make the playoffs and try to make a run.
Schedule softens a bit for the next few weeks. Gotta bank some wins.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Between Monday and June 25, they have three with the A's, six with the Giants, six with the Rockies, three with Toronto, and four with the Mets before they visit Milwaukee. Time to make some hay.
Just when we need him to step up, it's great to see Shota rounding into his 2nd half of 2025 unpitchable form.
Can't we find a space on the IL for Maton?
Can't we find a space on the IL for Maton?
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Another bad loss, another bad outing for Imanaga, another poor relief job from Maton. They are already seven games behind Milwaukee in the loss column.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I don’t think the chances of #1 are very high.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I’d prefer a release but whatever gets him off the roster…
Contract details
- 2026 base salary: $5,500,000
- 2027 base salary: $6,000,000
- 2028 club option: $8,500,000, with a $3,000,000 buyout
- Performance incentives:
- 2026 & 2027: $125,000 each for 40 and 50 games pitched
- 2028: $250,000 each for 40 and 50 games pitched
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I think he was on base 5 times.
The kid that tried to throw the ball back just absolutely spiked it. That was pretty funny