At Memorial Day, the Cubs look dangerous and are primed for a fun summer

New York Times

6 days ago

CHICAGO – Traditionally, Memorial Day has always been a good time to check in and evaluate how well a team is playing. Well, this just in: The Cubs are good. At 33-21, the Cubs are 12 games over .500 before June for the first time since 2016. That year, for those who remember, turned out pretty well for the team.
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It's too early to be breaking out 2016 comps, though.
What the Cubs can lean on is an offense that never seems out of a game, regardless of the deficit they may face. And one that has managed to find different ways to score when Wrigley Field and its notorious wind play treachery on fly balls like it did Monday afternoon.
In a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs had just four hits, only one for extra bases. But they also drew four walks, two of which came around to score. There was a sacrifice fly, a sacrifice bunt and another run that scored due to an inning being extended via an error.
'We executed offensively,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'We didn't have our best day swinging the bats. It's a tough day with the wind, for sure. We got a runner in from third with less than two outs, we got a bunt down, took advantage of a defensive mistake and then we pitched great.'

Days like Monday are important because they show that this team isn't just about outslugging their opponent. Yes, those comeback victories over the weekend were exciting and show that Chicago is never really out of it. But Monday's version shows that it can grind out a 'W' when everything isn't quite clicking.
'We don't have to wait for a big homer,' Kyle Tucker said. 'If we have one, great, I'll take it. But we can get guys on and make it tough at-bats for the pitchers. Whether it's hitting, baserunning, pitching, defense — I think we can win in multiple ways. You don't have to rely on one thing to get by.'
The Cubs were likely robbed of a home run by the wind when Pete Crow-Armstrong sent a fly ball 106.8 mph to right that ended up landing harmlessly in the glove of Micky Moniak. But Tucker drove in two runs, one via a sac fly and another with a single. Dansby Swanson drove in another with a groundout. Sometimes, small ball is all a team needs.
This swing by PCA was a homer in 29/30 ballparks … pic.twitter.com/LGPOcgtE0F
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 26, 2025
On the other side, Jameson Taillon was perfect through 4 2/3 before giving up a solo homer to Moniak. He finished his day with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out seven and walking none in one of his better outings of the season. The veteran righty is showing the importance of pounding the zone as only three qualified starters in the National League have a better walk rate than Taillon's 4.7 percent.
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'We're tough on pitchers,' Taillon said. '(We're) finding a way to win different types of games. We can win the slugfest, we can win the small-ball game. Pitchers are throwing a lot of strikes, our bullpen's really finding its groove.'
It was an important outing for Taillon as the starters had fallen behind early in each of their three games in Cincinnati. Overall, Cubs starters have a 4.05 ERA (19th in baseball) and their relievers are at 3.99 (17th). The bullpen is trending in the right direction, but the rotation could certainly use some stability.
Injured starter Shota Imanaga is expected to throw off a mound Wednesday as he begins to ramp back up from a hamstring injury. Reliever Porter Hodge is in a holding pattern after going on the injured list with a strained oblique last week. The chances of a minimum stint for him are dwindling unless the team sees progress in short order.
Still, the Cubs have proven to be remarkably resilient. Daniel Palencia deserves a lot of credit for stepping into the closer's role, and after blowing his first opportunity, he's locked down his next three. He boasts a 1.93 ERA, 26.4 percent strikeout rate and a blazing, triple-digit heater.
Even with Miguel Amaya going down with an oblique injury and Carson Kelly scratched on Sunday with an illness, the recently added Reese McGuire hit two critical homers yesterday and laid down a big bunt Monday. This team is getting contributions from all over.
Matt Shaw can't be ignored either. He took two walks Monday and is up to a 94 wRC+ on the season. His glove has looked electric as well, as he pulled off another stunning play Monday afternoon when he ranged to his right and then fired to first while falling into foul territory to get the speedy Brenton Doyle at first.
Moving forward, the Cubs will need to get and then stay healthy. Team president Jed Hoyer and his front office will have to be aggressive at the deadline to try and add pitching to both the rotation and bullpen. But right now, this team looks dangerous and with the right additions could be better than some expected.
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The vibes are high in Wrigleyville right now. The only question is whether it can last through the summer and lead to a fun fall.
'We're playing good ball,' Taillon said. 'It's a fun team. It's fun to be a part of. It's good right now. Obviously, a lot of year ahead.'