The Chicago Cubs are making one final push for the playoffs, and it’s been exciting to watch. Over their last ten games, they’ve gone 8-2, scoring an impressive 85 runs while allowing just 52. This surge shows they’re not ready to throw in the towel just yet. In fact, last Saturday I wrote an article about how injuries can really derail a team’s season. Today, we will revisit that topic by taking a closer look at the injuries that have plagued the Cubs this year, proving just how much they’ve had to overcome.
Let’s start with Justin Steele. Last Thursday, Steele took the mound on getaway day in Detroit. It’s hard to forget that the season didn’t start out smoothly for him—he missed all of April after pulling his hamstring on opening day. Despite this setback, the Cubs managed to stay afloat, going 18-12 the first month of the season. But once Steele returned, things started to unravel.
Dansby Swanson was one of the first to go down. On May 10th, he landed on the 10-day Injured List (IL) with a sprained right knee. Just three days later, Adbert Alzolay joined him on the IL with a forearm strain, only to find out later that he needed Tommy John surgery, which means he’ll be out until 2026. These injuries were a huge blow, but unfortunately, they were just the beginning of what’s been a tough stretch for the Cubs. Cody Bellinger also spent time on the IL, along with a slew of pitchers like Jordan Wicks, Keegan Thompson, and Javier Assad. It was one thing after another since Steele came back until Jed Hoyer sent Christopher Morel packing in return for Isaac Parades at the trade deadline.
Fast forward to tonight—the Cubs now sit at 69-66. Their bullpen has been a sore spot all season, blowing 22 saves, including 5 by Alzolay before he was sidelined. If they’d managed to hold on to just ten of those games, they’d likely be neck and neck with the Milwaukee Brewers right now, rather than hoping for losses by the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets to sneak into a Wild Card spot.
Fans’ frustration is palpable, and it’s not just about the injuries. Many are calling for Jed Hoyer’s head, especially after some of the front office decisions that have left the team vulnerable. Two moves Hoyer made since the trade for Parades were designating Héctor Neris and Drew Smyly for assignment over the last couple weeks to get below the competitive balance tax threshold. Smyly was not claimed; however, he has likely played his last game as a Cub. While it might have made sense from a financial standpoint, it sent a message that the front office was more concerned with staying under budget than building a team capable of making a serious playoff run.
These decisions, combined with the constant stream of injuries, have put the Cubs in a precarious position. On one hand, they’re still in the hunt, but on the other, it’s hard to ignore the impact of these moves. If the bullpen had been stronger or if key players hadn’t been sidelined, the Cubs might be in a much better position heading into the final stretch of the season.
Here’s the thing folks: Injuries are part of the game, sure, but the Cubs have been hit hard this season. It’s a testament to their resilience that they’re still fighting for a playoff spot, but it’s also a reminder of just how thin the margin for error is in baseball.
With that… it’ll be interesting to see if they are able to use this momentum and steal a Wild Card spot, or if these injuries—and the decisions made in the front office—will ultimately cause their undoing keeping them playing the role of spoilers this season.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them.