Chicago Cubs blasted for off-season pitching decisions amid slow start
The Chicago Cubs are not playing their best baseball early in 2026. Currently, they are 6-6 and the only team in the National League Central Division without a winning record. Granted, there are still 150 games remaining in the season and a lot can happen between April and October.
That being said, the Cubs are in a very precarious position in regard to their starting rotation. They did trade for Edward Cabrera during the off-season, and he has been, by far, their best starter. However, injuries to their top two starting pitchers have put them in a position where they are scrambling for depth.
The Chicago Cubs did not do enough to address starting pitching
While Cabrera has been a force in Chicago’s starting rotation early, second-year pitcher Cade Horton, considered by many to be the Cubs’ best starter, is out for the year with injury. Additionally, Matthew Boyd, their Opening Day starter, is on the injured list.
Now, Chicago is scrambling to fill their rotation, which is something they probably should have addressed even more this off-season, according to Bleacher Report:
“The rotation that the Cubs entered the season with—Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera and Jameson Taillon—had a high ceiling but also a low floor.
“So far, Boyd, who had a career year in 2025 after years of injuries, has landed on the injured list with a strained left biceps. Horton has already been lost for the season due to season-ending elbow surgery. Meanwhile, since finishing fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting as a rookie in 2024, Imanaga has a 4.75 FIP over 27 starts. Cabrera has high-end talent, but he too is also a major injury risk.
“The good news for the Cubs is that ace Justin Steele, who had surgery on his elbow last April, will be back at some point in 2026. But there’s going to be immediate pressure on the former All-Star to hit the ground running if the rest of Craig Counsell’s rotation doesn’t stabilize in the meantime.”
As BR mentions, Justin Steele is on his way back from his own injury suffered in 2025. That being said, he will not be back for a couple more months and by that time, the Cubs could be in an even worse position.
There are still some veteran free agent pitchers available, but if they were really all that reliable, they would have been signed already. Indeed, if the Cubs fail to make the postseason in 2026 because they cheaped out on their starting rotation heading into the year, they will only have themselves to blame.
More Chicago Cubs news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Craig Counsell is not worried about Pete Crow-Armstrong’s slow start
- Another Cubs starter out of lineup due to injury
- Cubs sound notes of starting pitching positivity after stretch of bad luck
For More Chicago Sports
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks
The post Chicago Cubs blasted for off-season pitching decisions amid slow start appeared first on ChiCitySports.
Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-blasted-for-off-season-pitching-decisions-amid-slow-start/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,794,834,919 |
| Stories: | 8,618,392 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
