The Chicago Cubs entered the All-Star Break with a much better look than they had after that rough weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals.
That series had been a mess, capped by a Friday loss in which the Cubs allowed 17 runs. But they steadied themselves quickly on the road, first taking a series from the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 and then doing the same against the Cincinnati Reds. By the time the break arrived, Chicago had pieced together a 4-2 week and carried some momentum with it.
That stretch also kept the Cubs right in the middle of the National League Central race. They sit five games back of the Milwaukee Brewers, who are still leading the division.
The strong week was enough to move Chicago up one spot in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings, from No. 6 to No. 5. Kerry Miller pointed to the team’s uneven season, but also to the way the offense has driven the recent surge.
"After starting out 7-9, the Cubs won 20 of their next 23, lost 22 of their next 29 and then closed out the first half with wins in 20 of their last 28 games. Whether they'll be Dr.
Jekyll or Mr. Hyde in October remains to be seen.
But for all the talk about the need to upgrade this pitching staff at the deadline, it's probably going to hinge on the offense. The Cubs have won 19 of the last 20 games in which they've scored at least five runs, including all four of their victories this week."
What comes next will tell the story. The Cubs can try to ride this run into the second half, look for another starting pitcher before the deadline, and keep themselves in the postseason conversation. Or they could stumble again and watch the race slip away.
In Other News...
Brewers Just Made The Pitching Move Cubs Fans Were Dreading
The Brewers just added another arm to a division race that already had the Cubs watching every move in Milwaukee. In a deadline-season trade with the Astros, they picked up veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon, a move aimed at bolstering pitching depth as clubs position themselves for the stretch run.
For Cubs fans, the intrigue is less about the names than the possibility that Milwaukee is still shopping for more stability on the mound. McCullers has battled injuries and uneven results in recent years, including a 6.51 ERA in 16 appearances last season and a 6.86 mark in eight starts this year, but the Brewers are clearly betting there is still value in the profile. Whether this is the first step in a bigger push or just a depth play, it is the kind of transaction that can change the feel of a deadline chase in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cubs Pitching Depth Suddenly Finds Himself In Limbo Again
Charlie Barnes is back on the open market after another quick turn through a big-league organization, this time with the Dodgers. The left-hander, who once came through the Cubs system via a waiver claim, was designated for assignment by Los Angeles and cleared waivers before his latest roster move sent him into limbo again.
Barnes had gotten into four games for the Dodgers this season, giving the club some left-handed depth after his arrival from Chicago in May. His path has already included stops in MLB, KBO and multiple minor league systems, a reminder of how quickly a pitchers footing can change when a team needs an arm and the bullpen shuffle starts all over again. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Pitching Depth Just Took Another Hit At The Worst Time
The Cubs pitching depth keeps getting tested at a time when every arm matters, and Hunter Harveys latest setback only adds to the pressure. Chicago brought him in on a one-year deal to help stabilize the staff, but his move to the injured list leaves the club trying to piece together innings while the calendar keeps shrinking.
There is still some hope elsewhere on the mound, with Ben Brown expected back before seasons end even if his role looks different than it did earlier in the year. Edward Cabrera has also restarted his throwing program and is lined up for a bullpen session before the end of July, with August still in play for a possible return, but the Cubs are still waiting on clarity as they try to hold their pitching plan together. [Read more 🡒]