Cubbies Crib

As Jed Hoyer has refused to spend top dollar for established closers in free agency, the old adage over the last two years has been that the Chicago Cubs always find a way to patch together the bullpen by the end of the regular season. That doesn't appear to be the case this season. While the Cubs ' bullpen has had stretches this season where it seemed that things were figured out, the numbers are what they are. From a WAR standpoint, the bullpen has been of negative value to the Cubs this season.

Josiah Hartshorn's 2026 regular season with the South Bend Cubs is over. In his first professional season, Hartshorn has ascended toward top-prospect status in the Chicago Cubs' farm system, and while South Bend has reached the playoffs, their regular season reached a conclusion on Sunday. As a whole, Hartshorn slashed .289/.411/.528 with 23 home runs and a wRC+ of 143 across the lowers levels of the Cubs' system this year. What's most impressive is what Hartshorn did upon his promotion to High-A.

For the second time in as many days, the Chicago Cubs took one right on the chin, courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers - and Tuesday night's haymaker told a story fans have become all too familiar with in the second half. David Peterson held his own against NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski, pitching into the fifth and allowing just one run and it looked as if the Cubs were going to even the series, heading into the bottom of the ninth with a 3-1 lead.

It's become clear the Chicago Cubs probably won't be in a rush to bring back Ian Happ on a new contract this offseason. Since the trade deadline, Happ has essentially become a platoon player, and it speaks to the reality of what his 2026 season has become. The defense of Happ has always been that he's one of Cubs most consistent producers. By the end of the season, his wRC+ was always going to be around 120, and he would have at least 20 home runs under his belt.

After another home run and two stolen bases during the Chicago Cubs' loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, it seems likely that Pete Crow-Armstrong will reach the 40-40 club before the end of the regular season. Crow-Armstrong enters play with 41 home runs and 35 steals. Beyond the 40-40 club feeling imminent, it also seems that the debate for National League MVP is effectively over. For much of the past month, there's been a debate centered around Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani.

Monday was yet another example of how the Chicago Cubs struggle to close out games against the Milwaukee Brewers. Perhaps Craig Counsell left Matthew Boyd in the game one batter too long, but the end result is one that Cubs fans have grown to expect. The Brewers took advantage of a Cubs' bullpen that wasn't in a position to succeed, and then consequently closed the door on the game. Sure, Pete Crow-Armstrong's home run in the ninth made it a one-run game, but the damage had already been done.

Former Chicago Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal is once again back in the majors, as the Tampa Bay Rays have selected his contract from Triple-A. Madrigal was previously in the majors this season with the Los Angeles Angels, and will serve as infield depth for Tampa Bay after the loss of shortstop Taylor Walls. In making room for Madrigal on their 40-man roster, the Rays designated former Cubs relief pitcher Hunter Bigge for assignment.

In case there was any doubt, there shouldn't have been, the Milwaukee Brewers had another reminder for the Chicago Cubs on Monday. As has become the norm when the Cubs play in Milwaukee, Craig Counsell's squandered a late lead that highlighted the gap that remains between the two division rivals. Entering play on Tuesday, the Cubs trail the Brewers by eight games in the National League Central.

Despite the fact Matthew Boyd pitched into the eighth and Pete Crow-Armstrong smashed his 41st home run of the season, the Chicago Cubs dropped Monday's opener to the rival Brewers, giving Milwaukee the season series and dealing the North Siders another setback. But there's still optimism as we look toward October.

When you think about the best move Theo Epstein made during his legendary tenure with the Chicago Cubs, it's easy to get lost in a litany of choices. You could make a case for signing Jon Lester, drafting Kris Bryant, or poaching Joe Maddon, though those were all fairly obvious decisions that most executives would have pulled the trigger on.