The Cubs’ recent 9-7 victory over the Orioles wasn’t just another win—it was a microcosm of their 2026 season so far. Personally, I think this game encapsulated everything that makes baseball both thrilling and maddening. Let’s break it down, because there’s so much more here than just the final score.
The Power Surge: Homers as a Double-Edged Sword
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two home runs were the highlight reel moments, no doubt. What makes this particularly fascinating is how PCA’s performance reflects a broader trend in the Cubs’ lineup. This team has always had power, but this season, it feels like they’re either hitting homers in bunches or going silent for stretches. Take PCA’s 20th homer, for instance—it broke a 157-plate-appearance drought for the team. That’s not just a stat; it’s a reminder of how reliant the Cubs are on the long ball. In my opinion, this feast-or-famine approach is both their greatest strength and their Achilles’ heel.
The Bullpen Blues: A Ticking Time Bomb
Now, let’s talk about the bullpen, because wow, did it almost cost them the game. The Cubs built a six-run lead in the seventh, only to watch it nearly evaporate in the eighth. Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar’s struggles weren’t just bad luck—they’re part of a larger pattern. From my perspective, the bullpen has been the weak link all season. Sure, Jacob Webb got the save, but it was more of a ‘survival’ save than a dominant one. If you take a step back and think about it, the Cubs’ bullpen issues aren’t just a problem—they’re a crisis waiting to happen in the playoffs.
Defense: The Unsung Hero
One thing that immediately stands out is Taylor Ward’s incredible catch in the first inning. It’s easy to overlook defense in a game with nine runs and five homers, but that play was a game-changer. What many people don’t realize is that defense has quietly kept the Cubs afloat this season. Without those highlight-reel plays, they might not be in contention at all. This raises a deeper question: how sustainable is their success if they’re constantly relying on heroic defensive efforts to bail out shaky pitching?
The Orioles’ Fight: A Tale of What Could’ve Been
Let’s not forget the Orioles, who refused to go down without a fight. Tyler O’Neill’s two homers and the late-inning rally were a reminder that this team has some serious firepower. A detail that I find especially interesting is how the Orioles’ bullpen mirrored the Cubs’ struggles. Grant Wolfram’s implosion in the seventh inning was almost comical—walking half as many batters in one inning as he had all season. What this really suggests is that bullpen woes aren’t unique to the Cubs; they’re a league-wide issue.
The Bigger Picture: Where Do the Cubs Go From Here?
If there’s one takeaway from this game, it’s that the Cubs are a team of extremes. They can hit five homers in a game, but they’ll also give you heart palpitations with their bullpen. Personally, I think Jed Hoyer needs to make a move for a reliable reliever before the trade deadline. The rotation is solid, but the bullpen is a liability they can’t afford to ignore.
What this game also highlights is the Cubs’ resilience. They’ve won 18 of their last 24 games, and even when they’re messy, they find a way to grind out victories. But here’s the thing: resilience can only take you so far. If they want to make a deep playoff run, they need to address their weaknesses head-on.
Final Thoughts: A Win, But at What Cost?
All’s well that ends well, right? Not exactly. Yes, the Cubs won, and they gained ground on the Brewers, but this game exposed cracks in their foundation. The homers were exciting, the defense was stellar, but the bullpen was a disaster. In my opinion, this isn’t just a one-off—it’s a symptom of deeper issues that could derail their season if left unchecked.
So, while I’m celebrating the win, I’m also sounding the alarm. The Cubs are good, but they’re not great—not yet. And if they want to be, they’ll need to fix their bullpen, fast. Otherwise, games like this won’t end in their favor, and their season could unravel just as quickly as it’s come together.
