What to make of this weekend of Cubs baseball? We talked about Friday. That game was enough of a downer just on another early loss without adding the insult of Cade Horton’s injury. Then the weather kept the teams from getting right back at it on Saturday and trying to get that taste out of their mouth. That left a Sunday doubleheader, and on a holiday at that. It’s not 1969 and we don’t do that just for fun on the weekends anymore. But the Cubs got another fantastic start from Edward Cabrera en route
to a win. Yay for that. And then some signs of life from the bats in game two. Alas, another loss. The last late push came up short and the Cubs continued the maddening pattern of losing all of the odd-numbered games.
Cabrera’s early start has to be the best thing on the 2026 Cubs bingo card. Here’s the thing. I know you want to pump the brakes on the “Cabrera looks like an ace” through two starts conversation. And hey, you should pump the brakes. But also, you can’t say that the Cubs offense is lifeless or close to it and draw conclusions on that. First, there has been random number generator Midwest weather to start the season. That’s not going to be locked as status quo. Second, Seiya Suzuki is going to come back. Soon. Particularly against lefty pitching, he does a lot to balance the lineup. They were worse against lefty starters in 2025 as it was and the Cubs have played without their best hitter against lefties. (Add to that, when healthy, Kyle Tucker was often their second most productive hitter against lefties).
You can’t read too much into any of this. None of it is ideal, but this has been just 1/18th of the season to be played. A not insignificant chunk of the season, but far from a massive chunk. It hasn’t been ideal. Of that, there is no question. I was happy to see the team win that first game without an offensive outburst. A team built on defense needs to be able to win some of those. Three hits between the teams is definitely a flashback to whole other era (even with eight combined walks). The teams combined for more strikeouts than hits plus walks. The Cubs bullpen was deployed for the first time in high leverage spots and held the line.
If you are one of the people who hates the way the Cubs always patchwork together their bullpen, then Sunday was a day for you to be extra frustrated. April is always rough when after your closer, you are not only trying to decide the order the pitchers are used, but who should even be here by October. That’s much more difficult when you have to try to cover two games in one day. They at least had a full day off after having to cover seven innings of relief on Friday. But they had to cover 6.1 more innings in this one. Colin Rea surely wasn’t available, not the least of which is because he’ll likely be asked to start a game in Tampa Wednesday.
In the end, it felt like the Cubs just kept trying to squeeze one or two batters too many out of every pitcher in game two. Shōta Imanaga looked good through five, but didn’t appear to have anything left in the sixth. Ben Brown was a tightrope act from the first batter. He did bounce back for a nice seventh inning after surrendering the Cub lead in the sixth. Then Jacob Webb didn’t look ready for the leverage situation he was thrown into and surrendered another lead.
Two blown leads in one game. At least that suggests that the Cub offense showed some fight finally. Even in the ninth, they threatened again, getting the tying run into scoring position. But close still doesn’t count for anything and in the end, they came up short. It’s far too early for big games or must wins. But boy, this team really needs a couple of wins against a Tampa team that has struggled in the early going. Games in a dome. Maybe put a few crooked numbers on the board in the series. Get some guys rolling.
That would do the team some good.
Three Positives: (Game 1)
- Daniel Palencia threw a perfect ninth for his first save.
- Miguel Amaya has been the most productive Cub offensively in the early going. I don’t know how much playing occurs before his bat is overexposed. But I’m here for it if he’s going to force that issue.
- Hoby Milner got the eighth with a one-run lead and threw a perfect inning. Milner has looked mostly good in the early going and looks like a good add.
An honorable mention on game one to Edward Cabrera. I’m surely being too hard on him for allowing five walks, keeping him from completing seven. 51 strikes out of 97 pitches isn’t going to work too often. I’m already eager for his next start next weekend to see what the next chapter looks like. But I just felt like I had to hat tip the other guys for this one.
Three Positives: (Game 2)
- Ian Happ. It just can’t be that this is his first two-hit game and yet he’s had four homers in nine games. A 72 homer season and a .189 average would be wild. The homer was big and then he kept the game alive in the ninth with a two-out RBI single.
- Shōta Imanaga looked really good through five. Two hits, one walk through five innings. Then he went out and allowed a leadoff double in the sixth before leaving. That was the only run charged to him in the game. Yeah, tough crowd on Cabrera above. Both outings were encouraging, even if you’d love to see either or both get a few batters deeper into the game.
- Nico Hoerner had a hit and two walks in game two. He scored a run. He’s just such a consistent presence at the plate.
Game 8, April 5: Chicago 1, Cleveland 0 (4-4)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Edward Cabrera (.253). 5.2 IP, 22 BF, H, 5 BB, 0 R, 4 K
- Hero: Miguel Amaya (.225). 1-3, BB, RBI
- Sidekick: Daniel Palencia (.202). IP, 3 BF, K (Sv 1)
THREE GOATS:
- Billy Goat: Michael Busch (-.126). 0-4
- Goat: Alex Bregman (-.111). 0-4
- Kid: Matt Shaw (-.108). 0-2, S
WPA Play of the Game: Miguel Amaya batted with a runner on second and one out in the eighth inning. He singled, driving in the game’s only run. (.209)
*Cleveland Play of the Game: Steven Kwan was hit by a pitch leading off the eighth inning. (.098)
Cubs Player of the Game (Game 1):
Game 9, April 5: Cleveland 6, Chicago 5 (4-5)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Ian Happ (.279). 2-5, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Hero: Shōta Imanaga (.232). 5 IP, 19 BF, 3 H, BB, ER, 4 K
- Sidekick: Dansby Swanson (.150). 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
THREE GOATS:
- Billy Goat: Jacob Webb (-.581). 0.1 IP, 5 BF, 3 H, BB, 3 ER (L 0-1)
- Goat: Ben Brown (-.184). 2 IP, 10 BF, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 ER
- Kid: Carson Kelly (-.182). 1-4, BB
WPA Play of the Game: CJ Kayfus batted with one out and the bases empty in the eighth inning, the Cubs leading by one. He hit a solo homer to tie the game. (.325)
*Cubs Play of the Game: Ian Happ homered leading off the top of the eighth, to give the Cubs that lead. (.252)
Cubs Player of the Game (Game 2):
Game 7 Winner: Colin Rea received 77 of 110 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 3/Bottom 3)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
- Edward Cabrera +6
- Miguel Amaya +5
- Hoby Milner +4
- Phil Maton/Jacob Webb -3
- Alex Bregman -5
- Matt Shaw -6
Up Next: The Rays did win in 10 on Sunday, that pushed their record to 4-5 as well. They are ready for their home opener and their return to Tropicana Field after a year playing at Steinbrenner Field. I got to see a game last year and it’s definitely a good minor league facility. But it’s not a fitting place for an MLB team. Of course, the Trop isn’t exactly an elite stadium either. But it’s home. The first nine games have looked like a grind for the Rays and I’m hoping it takes them at least three more days to find their stride. I’ll be at the game Tuesday.
The Cubs will miss Seiya Suzuki again Monday night. They’ll see lefty Shane McClanahan. He was a loser in his first 2026 start, allowing three runs, two earned, in a start at Milwaukee. He was 11-2 with a 3.29 in his last MLB season, which was in 2023. He’s missed all of the last two years with injuries. He’s made 20 + starts in each of his three major league seasons, won 10+ games in all three and has a lifetime ERA of 3.03. He’s no pushover. The Cubs counter with Lakeland, Florida product Jameson Taillon. He threw 4.2 scoreless against the Angels in his first start. He walked four but only allowed two hits.
For this one, let’s hope that every other game is a win pattern holds up one more day. Then the team can try to get that first two-game winning streak starting Tuesday. First things first. It’ll be a tough one. Hopefully, the team is up to the task.
