Today’s Reflections
Oh, it was soooo close to becoming a day of celebration Sunday. But it became a day where the Cubs had to wait until Tuesday to see whether Chicago wins or Arizona loses to clinch a playoff spot, and to hear the official results on the condition of Alex Bregman. There wouldn’t have been much of the former with the latter hanging over the team’s head.
But let’s go to the on-field review of the Cubs’ weekend. Two wins gave the team the series win after a bad loss Friday night. The two games had hitting galore, extremely good starting pitching and impressive bullpen results.
On offense, three hitters led the way with very good performances over the two days. Michael Busch went 3-for-7 with a walk, two runs scored and a solo home run, his 20th. Seiya Suzuki went 3-for-8 with a walk, two runs scored and also a solo home run, Suzuki’s 25th. And Nico Hoerner also went 3-for-8, but surprisingly, no home runs. Hoerner had a run scored, a double and two RBI.
In Saturday’s game, in addition to the contributions from the above players, Dansby Swanson showed that his was ready to be back with the team, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and another solo home run, but it was only his 19th. And Matt Shaw had an RBI on a sacrifice fly.
On Sunday, after going 0-for-5 Saturday, PCA bounced back by going 3-for-5 (ho-hum, a hit short of a cycle), with his 30th double, his 45th home run and his 38th stolen base as well as three runs scored (118) and two RBI (107).
Bregman, who went 0-for-4 with a walk Saturday, went 1-for-1 with a run scored and an RBI before leaving the game. Ian Happ, who walked while pinch-hitting and scored a run Saturday, went 2-for-5 Sunday with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Michael Conforto and Pedro Ramirez only played on Sunday. Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a RS and two RBI, while Conforto hit a solo HR, his 15th.
On the mound, Matthew Boyd looked like he was cruising for his first win in his last seven starts. He allowed only a walk over the first four innings. In the fifth, Boyd gave up two hits and a walk to turn his 2-0 lead to a 2-2 tie (one run was unearned). After Busch’s home run made it, 3-2, Boyd became the pitcher of record and improved his record to 9-5.
Daniel Palencia actually became the pitching star of Saturday, along with the rest of his bullpen mates. He took over for Boyd starting the sixth. Palencia pitched a perfect two innings with three strikeouts — by far his best outing since returning from the IL. Aaron Civale, Ryan Jeferzahn and Ryan Rolison combined to pitch a scoreless last two innings for the win.
Sunday, the starter, David Peterson, was marvelous, making his bid for the playoff rotation — he’s got the hot hand right now. With the Cubs up, 8-1, Peterson finished six innings on 83 pitches, 54 for strikes, allowed one run on three hits and a walk while having struck out seven to improve to 5-2 as a Cub. The run he allowed came on a CSPSHR*. After Peterson retired with the huge lead, Caleb Thielbar, Edward Cabrera, and Chris Rea each pitched a scoreless inning to close out the win and the series.
I appreciate your reading.
Complimentary Starting Pitcher Solo Home Run*
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Sunday’s Game Stories:
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Alex Bregman sent to hospital after foul ball to face in Chicago Cubs win that puts them on cusp of playoffs. “With the Cubs off Monday, any further updates from the team on Bregman’s status are unlikely until Tuesday.”
- Bill Ladson (MLB.com): PCA’s latest offensive outburst puts Cubs on verge of playoff clinch. “Maybe the Cubs offense can keep pace for the top Wild Card spot since San Diego won’t lose.”
- Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs one win from second straight playoff berth — common for some, rare for them. “All they need to do is win Tuesday, when they return to Wrigley Field to face the Marlins, a ballclub that, like several others, has ruined celebration plans before.”
Saturday’s Game Stories:
- Bill Ladson (MLB.com): Cubs’ bullpen bands together to deliver clutch scoreless showing. “Since Aug. 21. entering Friday night, Chicago’s bullpen had a 4.50 ERA, tied for 20th in the Major Leagues and converted only four of 12 save opportunities.”
- Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Daniel Palencia looks like himself again with 2 dominant innings in Cubs’ victory. ““Twenty pitches, probably executed 19,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It was a good sign and an important sign.”“
- Cole Bair (Bleacher Nation): Palencia’s Big Night, Bullpen Bonanza, Swanson’s Big Swing, Busch’s Bomb, and Other Cubs Bullets. “It was a little too close for comfort all night, but a win is a win, especially when you’re in a fight for home field advantage in the Wild Card round.”
PCA-Mania Perking Up Just In Time:
- James Neveau (NBCSports): Here’s the history Pete Crow-Armstrong is trying to make this season. “Pete Crow-Armstrong is having one of the best offensive seasons in Cubs history, and he’s got some incredible company he can join this week.”
- Vanessa Serrao (Yardbarker): Pete Crow-Armstrong makes more Cubs history in win over Reds. “Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to be a massive threat on the basepaths, as he recorded his ninth game with a home run and a stolen base.”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): After his franchise mark falls, Billy Williams salutes PCA’s evolution during historic Chicago Cubs season. ““Little did I think about him hitting 43 home runs — it gives me a great thrill to see an individual come along like that.”
- Ryan O’Rourke (Cubbies Crib): Cubs hitting coach reveals turning point that sent Pete Crow-Armstrong into MVP conversation. “More walks are only part of PCA’s offensive transformation.”
Assorted Pitching Stories:
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Justin Steele Won’t Be Able to Help 2026 Cubs, Except Through a Poignant Morale Boost. “The Cubs could really, really use the former version of erstwhile ace Justin Steele in October, even as a short reliever. Alas, that guy’s still unavailable. All the current version of Steele can offer is a nice moment this week at Wrigley Field.”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs: Daniel Palencia could again be a postseason game-changer following his best outing since the IL. “Daniel Palencia couldn’t stop smiling Sunday. After eight weeks on the injured list, the Chicago Cubs reliever had just come off his best outing in the past month Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Could David Peterson Be Chicago Cubs’ Playoff Ace? “Let’s be honest with one another: the Cubs’ starting rotation doesn’t have any sure things. If you want the hottest hand holding the baseball when the postseason begins, it might be the big left paw of David Peterson.”
- Conor Liguori (Sporting News): Cubs have potential postseason ‘nightmare’ that doesn’t include Alex Bregman. “Instead, the Cubs should be worried about a bullpen that does not have a lockdown closer.”
- Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs manager Craig Counsell: ‘We’ve got to find out about our bullpen’ in final week. “The series against the Reds ended a stretch of three series that Counsell treated as playoff series, with the help of two days off.”
- Bill Ladson (MLB.com): Steele logs best rehab effort yet, next steps looming. “Steele flew back to Chicago and is expected to meet with the Cubs on Tuesday to determine what’s next for him.”
- Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Kevin Gausman’s roller-coaster run with Cubs might be result of Blue Jays’ World Series run. ““It’s really frustrating,” Gausman told the Sun-Times, “especially after being really consistent for the last five, six years.”“
Assorted Hitting Stories:
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs get jarring Alex Bregman injury update with surprising playoff optimism still alive. “So, there’s a chance?”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): The Various Hopes for the Alex Bregman Situation. “What a whipsaw the last few days have been for Alex Bregman. His continued second half dominance to his big racehorse win to taking a freak foul ball off the face and having to be rushed to the hospital.”
- Casey McAleer (DaWindyCity): Michael Busch is rediscovering his value at the perfect time for the Cubs. “After struggling through April, the Cubs first baseman has restored his power and patience just as the Wild Card race tightens.”
Assorted Stories:
- Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Wild Card Rematch? Chicago Cubs Could Be Playing the Hottest Team in MLB. “With only one week left in the regular season and six games remaining for each team, much of the MLB postseason seeding is still up in the air.”
- Jackson Stone (MLB.com): Who needs to step up if Cubs make a run in October? “With just six games remaining until playoff baseball, who will the Cubs need to step up in order to make a run at the World Series in a National League field filled with strong contenders?”
- Thomas Domol (North Side Baseball): Cubs Week in Review: Reinforcements Put North Siders on Precipice of Postseason. “Injuries and slumps have forced fans of the 2026 Cubs to wonder what this team would look like at full strength. With Dansby Swanson returning and a few players returning to form, they got a glimpse of that—and then, alas, an eyeful.”
- Brandon Glick (Cubbies Crib): Cubs may already have their next homegrown Silver Slugger rising through the system. “And it’s not Josiah Hartshorn.”
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune {$}): Column: It’s only fitting the tumultuous Cubs and White Sox seasons are coming down to the final week. “What a wild week in Chicago this was.”
Food For Thought:
Friends and fans describe Granvil Poynter’s music as a blend of Texas blues with a 50’s rock and roll twist. Born and raised in a small town in Arkansas, Granvil fell in love with music at an early age. His reverence for the Blues musicians that came before him is evident in his music. His inspirations were early Blues Musicians Muddy Waters, Freddy King, Buddy Guy and later blues loving artists Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Vaughan.
However, it was his move to Texas that truly allowed him to flourish and establish himself as a standout voice in the blues genre. He has won best blues artist in the San Antonio music awards. Billy F. Gibbons has tapped him for shows with ZZ Top and for Mr. Gibbon’s solo tour. His captivating stage presence and heartfelt performances have earned him a devoted following and critical acclaim from both fellow musicians and dedicated blues enthusiasts.
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