The Chicago Cubs currently hold a 34-32 record and sit in fourth place in the National League Central. In the past day, the club has finalized several roster maneuvers. They aim to address pitching depth and offensive stagnation before a critical road trip to Colorado.
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MLB Game Recap
The Cubs had an off-day on Monday. They look to rebound from Sunday’s 2-1 extra-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon exited after only one inning because of a left hamstring strain. He forced five relievers to cover nine innings of work. The game remained tied until the 10th inning. Matt Chapman delivered a decisive RBI single. The Cubs ultimately stranded the tying run at third base in the bottom half of the frame.
Standout Performer
Javier Assad delivered a masterful relief performance on Sunday, posting a stat line of 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, and 5 SO. Assad entered the game in the second inning with no outs after Taillon’s injury. He stabilized the contest by retiring 19 of the 21 batters he faced. He provided length and efficiency. This prevented a total bullpen collapse. It kept Chicago within striking distance until the final frame.
Key News & Notes
Jameson Taillon is headed to the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Manager Craig Counsell indicated that MRI results will determine the total recovery timeline. On June 8, the Cubs took corresponding moves. They selected the contract of Antoine Kelly from Triple-A Iowa. They also claimed Eduarniel Núñez off waivers from the Orioles. Additionally, promising infielder Matt Shaw is expected to be activated today after recovering from back tightness. Manager Craig Counsell confirmed plans to give Dansby Swanson a temporary “mental regroup” on the bench following a prolonged slump.
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Farm Report
- Iowa Cubs: Iowa visits Louisville for their next series starting Tuesday.
- Knoxville Smokies: Knoxville visits Montgomery for their next series starting Tuesday.
- South Bend Cubs: South Bend hosts Peoria for their next series starting Tuesday.
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Myrtle Beach hosts Augusta for their next series starting Tuesday.
- ACL Cubs: (L, 5-7 vs. ACL Padres – Starter Mata took the loss on Monday. The Padres rallied for four runs in the sixth inning. They erased an early Cubs lead.
Deep Dive: Chicago Cubs Offensive Struggles in 2026
The Cubs’ lineup has been defined by extreme inconsistency, leading to a team batting average of .223 and a 93 wRC+ since mid-May. The team enjoyed two separate 10-game winning streaks. However, they also endured a 10-game slide. This slide exposed significant holes in the core.
Dansby Swanson has been the primary concern, slashing .180/.285/.322 with a 75 wRC+ across 240 plate appearances. His struggles intensified after May 15, posting a meager 45 wRC+ since that date. Despite striking out less and walking more than in 2025, a .207 BABIP suggests significant misfortune. Manager Craig Counsell noted the need for a regrouping period. He stated he plans to “temporarily bench Swanson for a few games” to help him find a mental reset.
Alex Bregman has also underwhelmed since signing a major free-agent contract. As of early June, he is batting .243 with a .327 OBP, .342 SLG, and .669 OPS. His 2026 Statcast data reveals a .302 wOBA and .312 xwOBA, with monthly splits showing a decline from April (.272 AVG) to May (.261 AVG) and a dismal start to June (.083 AVG). Analysts have noted that while his 17.2% strikeout rate remains respectable, he has struggled to produce impactful runs, totaling just 19 RBI through 65 games.
Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki round out the struggling core. Hoerner is batting .247 with a .679 OPS and 98 OPS+, which is below his career norm. His underlying metrics include a .322 rOBA and a 6.8% strikeout rate. Fans have questioned if his performance has changed. They wonder if it has been affected since being hit in the head by a pitch earlier this year. Suzuki remains 14% better than the league average by wRC+. However, he cannot carry the lineup alone during collective slumps. These combined struggles have left the Cubs 6.5 games back in the NL Central, forcing the front office to reconsider its trade deadline urgency.
Looking Ahead
The Cubs travel to Coors Field today to begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. Colin Rea will face Tomoyuki Sugano. He is scheduled to start and will look to stabilize a rotation. The rotation has posted a MLB-worst 7.11 ERA over the team’s last 20 games.
The pitching staff is reeling. The stars are slumping. However, the return of Matt Shaw could be exactly the spark this stagnant lineup needs. What do you think?
