Post by Matt Meyer | @Bluto51 on X (Twitter)
The All Star break has come and gone and the start of the unofficial 2nd half of the season is on deck as the Chicago Cubs are in the middle of a fine season. Chicago is 57-39 and they lead the NL Central by one game over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs have the third best record in baseball and the best run differential in the game, and they are in position to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Offense has led the way for Chicago this season as the biggest story of the year has been the emergence of CF Pete Crow-Armstrong. His speed and defense were never in question, but his 25 HR’s and 71 RBI’s are numbers nobody could’ve seen coming. The acquisition of RF Kyle Tucker was a terrific one, as the former Houston Astro is hitting .280 with 17 HR’s and 56 RBI’s. DH Seiya Suzuki is enjoying a career season with 25 HR’s and 77 RBI’s. Crow-Armstrong and Tucker were All Stars and I have no good explanation as to why Suzuki was not. The hottest Cub of late has been 1B Michael Busch who leads the team with a .290 average to go with 19 HR’s and 59 RBI’s. Chicago has one of the premier offenses in baseball and could look to add another bat at the trade deadline. 3B Matt Shaw has provided good defense, but after a hot start to his second stint with the club this year, he’s cooled off at the plate. Speaking of defense, LF Ian Happ, Crow-Armstrong, Tucker, SS Dansby Swanson, and 2B Nico Hoerner have either won gold gloves or are gold glove caliber. Offensively and defensively, there aren’t too many holes, but the Cubs could add another hitter to provide a little more depth.
The biggest area that Chicago could look for help at the deadline is in the starting rotation. LHP Matthew Boyd was named to the All Star team and LHP Shota Imanaga probably would have if he had not missed some time with a hamstring injury. Both lefties have sub 3.00 ERA’s and after dealing with injuries, Boyd is enjoying his finest season as a pro. RHP Jameson Taillon has been solid but he’s currently out of action with a calf strain. RHP Colin Rea has been good with an exception here or there, and former Sooner and Norman Tiger RHP Cade Horton is having a fine rookie season, but if the Cubs are going to make a deep playoff run, more depth in the rotation will be key. After a slow start to the season, Chicago’s bullpen has been one of the best in baseball over the first half, as RHP Daniel Palencia has nailed down the closer’s role. RHP’s Brad Keller and Ryan Pressly have had terrific seasons with one bad outing for each as an exception. From the left side, Caleb Thielbar has been very steady and Drew Pomeranz, acquired from the Mariners for cash during the season, has revitalized his career after not appearing in the big leagues since 2021. RHP Chris Flexen has been terrific in the bulk role in the pen when a game is out of reach one way or the other. You can never have enough pitching and the Cubs are no exception.
Chicago has put itself in position to make a postseason run. The offense and defense appear to be legitimate and while the pitching overall has been good, it would be nice to add to the rotation and the pen. The Brewers are hot on the Cubs’ heels to begin the second half and the Cardinals and Reds could be factors in the division race as well. I wouldn’t make Chicago the favorite in the National League or to win the World Series, but I wouldn’t rule out the lights being on at Addison and Clark in October.
