“I’ve been terrible. I need to play better,” was how Bregman started his declaration, which was shared on X by Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “Offensively, it’s been awful. I’ve failed many times in this game. I’ve struggled. I’ve started slow before, I’ve started fast before.”

Despite Bregman batting a .243 average with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs, what caught everyone’s attention is his .669 OPS, which places him 133rd among all players this year. Is it something for the Cubs to worry about? Yes, most starting infielders shouldn’t struggle that way.

At least Bregman knows what’s happening

Bregman is crystal clear about his issues at the plate. After 263 at-bats and 64 hits, he’s ready to confront it with the best solution: keep working to get better. “When you’re struggling, there is only one way forward and that’s straight, head-on through it. It comes down to executing in the game. I haven’t executed all year.”

The Cubs’ 34-32 situation isn’t all on Bregman. They still have some time to climb up in the NL Central standings, but if he can speed up his production at the plate, it could help with their goal to reach the MLB postseason. Right now, they are 7.5 games behind Milwaukee.

Among Bregman’s teammates, there are other players struggling with an OPS just as much or worse than his. One of them is Dansby Swanson with a .606 OPS. As the starting shortstop, his production is down with only 37 hits and 28 RBIs this year.

Crow-Armstrong’s heroics capped a remarkable turnaround for both the player and the team. Following the win, he reflected on the significance of the comeback, saying, according to MLB.com, “For us to get that win is something we can build off. But just kind of the reminder that this is who we are, that’s so important when times are like this.”

The victory ended Chicago’s eight-game home losing streak and came at a time when the offense had struggled to consistently produce runs. s. The Cubs entered the ninth inning trailing before erupting for four runs and completing one of their most dramatic wins of the season, all while Cubs reportedly enter sweepstakes for Tarik Skubal remains part of the broader conversation surrounding the club’s direction.

Craig Counsell challenged Crow-Armstrong to move forward

Earlier in the game, Crow-Armstrong found himself at the center of a difficult moment. In the sixth inning, he lost a fly ball off the bat of Shea Langeliers in the evening sky, allowing the Athletics catcher to race around the bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run that extended team’s lead.

Instead of letting the mistake linger, manager Craig Counsell delivered a simple message. “You feel terrible. It’s a big play,” Counsell said. “But I told him when he came in the dugout, ‘Man, go have a great at-bat. How can you affect this now? You can’t think about what just happened. You have to go have a great at-bat.'”

Crow-Armstrong responded immediately. Later in the sixth inning, he crushed a home run to right field, helping the Cubs begin their climb back into the game. The blast demonstrated the maturity that Counsell has seen develop in the young outfielder. “In the past, I might’ve dwelled on that,” Crow-Armstrong admitted. “I’m just growing up a little bit.”

Cubs rally late before Crow-Armstrong delivers the final blow

Chicago’s comeback continued in the seventh inning when Ian Happ launched a two-run homer, cutting further into the deficit. The offense then exploded in the ninth as Michael Busch, Happ, Nico Hoerner, Moisés Ballesteros, and Seiya Suzuki all contributed during a frantic rally.

Dansby Swanson, who had struggled at the plate entering the game, delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the score and keep the inning alive. That set the stage for Crow-Armstrong, who stepped to the plate with a chance to complete his redemption story.

The center fielder lined the game-winning hit to right field, sending Wrigley Field into celebration and securing a victory that could provide a much-needed boost for the Cubs moving forward.

Whether this game ultimately becomes a turning point in Chicago’s season remains to be seen. What is certain is that Crow-Armstrong transformed one of his most frustrating moments of the year into one of the most memorable nights of his young career.

However, the Bronx Bombers aren’t alone. According to The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Chicago Cubs have quietly emerged as a legitimate frontrunner to land the dominant left-hander if Detroit chooses to pivot, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal suggested that he would be available in the trade deadline.

With the Yankees reportedly among four teams who have already kicked the tires on Skubal’s availability, Chicago’s entry into the sweepstakes adds serious fuel to the fire. Teams are already feeling the crunch as they navigate a shortened timeline, with the trade window slamming shut on Monday, August 3, at 6:00 PM ET.

Any contender looking to strike a deal already knows the price tag will be astronomical, as several rival MLB executives have leaked the reported king’s ransom Detroit is demanding in exchange for its prized pitcher.

Which team could be a better fit for Skubal between Yanks and Cubs?

While the final decision ultimately rests on what kind of package Detroit prefers, the Yankees and Cubs offer two vastly different landing spots. Chicago represents a rising contender trying to capitalize on its recent momentum, while New York offers the unmatched spotlight and historical pressure of the Bronx.

Any rotation in baseball would be ecstatic to add a healthy Skubal, who pitched to a stellar 2.70 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP over seven starts before landing on the injured list. However, the Yankees might actually be the lesser fit; New York already boasts an elite pitching staff that is only getting stronger with the impending return of reigning ace Gerrit Cole.

On the other hand, the Cubs look like the far more logical destination. Skubal would immediately plug into the top of a rotation desperately seeking a bona fide, true Friday-night ace. If he can return from his elbow procedure and replicate the numbers he put up in Detroit, he could single-handedly transform Chicago into the team to beat in the National League.

After allowing nine combined runs in his previous two starts, Skenes bounced back with another overpowering performance despite taking the loss. “That’s cool,” Skenes said according to MLB.com. “There’s a lot of baseball left.”

Following the game, the right-hander reacted calmly after learning he now owns the fourth-best ERA by any pitcher before turning 24 with at least 300 innings pitched, as manager Don Kelly recently reacted after Paul Skenes flirts with no-hitter.

The outing lowered Skenes’ ERA to 2.89 on the season while improving his career ERA to 2.12. The only pitchers ahead of him on the all-time list are names from baseball’s early decades, including Hall of Famer Babe Ruth.

Skenes dominates early against Cubs lineup

Skenes wasted little time establishing control against Chicago. The flamethrowing right-hander retired the first eight batters he faced and struck out seven of the first eight hitters, repeatedly generating swings and misses with his sweeper and overpowering fastball.

His seven strikeouts through the first three innings tied a career high, matching marks he previously reached during his rookie season. Skenes also continued his remarkable success in night games this season, entering Thursday with a 0.51 ERA under the lights compared to a much higher daytime ERA.

Despite allowing only three hits through four innings, Skenes admitted afterward that his pitch count climbed because of inconsistent command. “Coming out of the gate was pretty good,” Skenes said. “I think there were times throughout the game where it was kind of hit and miss, but for the most part found ways to get outs.”

Pirates continue searching for consistency behind Skenes

The Cubs finally broke through in the fourth inning after Michael Busch walked and Seiya Suzuki delivered an RBI bloop single to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Skenes later ran into trouble again in the sixth inning before manager Don Kelly visited the mound with reliever Mason Montgomery warming in the bullpen.

Although Skenes exited after an infield error allowed another run to score, both sixth-inning runs were ruled unearned. Pittsburgh’s bullpen later surrendered additional insurance runs, including a two-run homer from Ian Happ, as the Pirates settled for a split in the four-game series against their NL Central rivals.

“This is what I’ve always dreamed of doing, playing in the big leagues,” Ryan said during an appearance on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast. “I’m grateful for that every day that I get to do that. And I want to be the best version of myself. What am I going to do, think about trades and things that I have zero control over? That’s just wasted headspace.”

Ryan dealt with similar rumors during the 2025 season when Minnesota struggled before the trade deadline. At the time, he was even scheduled to pitch the day after the deadline passed, which added another layer of pressure to an already difficult situation.

Still, the right-hander responded with six strong innings against Cleveland and helped the Twins secure an extra-innings victory, coming at a time when the Twins had also made a surprising Matt Bowman decision after his strong Triple-A run.

Ryan remains one of MLB’s top trade targets

The 2026 season has only increased Ryan’s value around baseball. “I think you look back and just remind yourself… that the distractions are away from the actual game,” Ryan explained. “I’m here to play baseball, and I get to put on a big league uniform.”

Unlike other potential trade candidates such as Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta, Ryan remains under team control through the 2027 season. That contract situation gives Minnesota significant leverage if the organization decides to move him before the deadline.

The Twins are currently under .500, and if the club continues to slide in the standings, rival executives expect Minnesota to receive major prospect offers for their ace.

Braves and Cubs remain possible landing spots

Several contenders have already been connected to Ryan, including the Braves and Cubs. Atlanta could look to strengthen its rotation for another postseason push, while Chicago has continued searching for pitching help amid ongoing injury concerns.

Even with the rumors continuing to grow, however, Ryan appears committed to maintaining the same approach that helped him navigate last season’s deadline uncertainty.

Lopez, who appeared in only a handful of games since joining the Cubs, was moved off the active roster as Chicago created space for Alcantara, who was already on the 40-man roster. According to 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine, Alcantara was present in the clubhouse ahead of the move being finalized.

Alcantara now returns to the major leagues after receiving 22 plate appearances across 13 MLB games over the past two seasons. In Triple-A Iowa this year, the 23-year-old has shown power potential with a .247/.339/.567 slash line, 15 home runs, and 60 strikeouts in 180 plate appearances, coming as Pat Murphy recently expressed frustration with Brewers players.

Alcantara gets another opportunity with Cubs outfield

The Cubs are expected to use Alcantara in a limited role initially, particularly against left-handed pitching, where he could spell Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field or Michael Conforto at designated hitter.

However, his long-term path to regular playing time remains uncertain, with established veterans ahead of him in a crowded outfield mix. Still, Chicago continues to evaluate internal options as the roster evolves.

Lopez loses roster spot after limited impact

Lopez was acquired from the Colorado Rockies for cash considerations in late April but struggled to secure consistent playing time, appearing in just four games during his stint with the Cubs.

A veteran utility infielder with experience at multiple positions, Lopez has hit .228/.298/.281 over 1,220 plate appearances since 2022 across several teams, settling into more of a depth role in recent seasons.

If he clears waivers, Lopez could either accept an outright assignment or explore free agency, though a return to the Cubs on a minor league deal remains a possible outcome given the organization’s familiarity with him.

“They don’t even know most of our guys’ names, so they’re never going to be intimidated by us—but we’re not looking for that,” Murphy said after the Brewers’ 9-3 statement win over the NL Central leaders.

While stars like Bryce Turang and William Contreras spearhead the lineup, Murphy pointed out that the rest of the league is still sleeping on key contributors. Role players like Tyler Black, who is batting .333, and Jake Bauers, who has launched seven home runs, continue to produce in the shadows.

Murphy’s chip-on-the-shoulder mentality is a bit surprising, especially considering opposing managers are already taking notice. Just two weeks ago, New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone pulled no punches, criticizing his own team’s flat performance following a series loss to these same Brewers.

A closer look at the Brewers’ recent surge

To see if Murphy’s “flying under the radar” narrative holds weight, let’s break down Milwaukee’s last five games and the players driving their recent success:

• In the series finale against the San Diego Padres, the Brewers cruised to a 7-1 victory on the strength of an 11-hit, error-free performance. William Contreras paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
• Milwaukee carried that momentum into their series opener against the Minnesota Twins, scraping out a 3-2 win (nine hits, one error). Rookie phenom Jackson Chourio earned player of the game honors, turning in a 2-for-5 night with a double, two runs, and a crucial outfield assist.
• The Brewers clinched the next frame against the Twins 2-1 behind a five-hit, zero-error effort. Chourio stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with a double and a go-ahead solo shot, while reliever Patrick Outman locked down a stellar four-inning save, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
• Milwaukee’s win streak snapped in a narrow 5-4 loss in the series finale against Minnesota, despite out-hitting the Twins 10 to five. Outfielder Garrett Mitchell (1-for-3, HR) and veteran DH Christian Yelich (1-for-5, HR) provided the lone bright spots in the defeat.
• The bounce-back was immediate in Monday’s series opener against the Cubs. The Brewers exploded for 13 hits in a 9-3 rout, powered by first baseman Jake Bauers, who finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs, and four RBIs.

During this impressive 4-1 stretch, unheralded names like Outman, Mitchell, and Bauers have carried the heaviest load. If these under-the-radar pieces keep producing, the rest of the league won’t be able to ignore Murphy’s club much longer.

The drama unfolded when Crow-Armstrong tracked a high fly ball into foul territory near the right-field stands but ultimately couldn’t make the play. A spectator in the front rows shouted something at the young outfielder, prompting an immediate, obscene retaliation from Crow-Armstrong that will likely trigger a swift fine and discipline from the league.

Under Major League Baseball rules regarding player conduct, directing profanity toward an official or a fan in the stands carries strict penalties. The exact financial toll and the length of a potential suspension—typically ranging from one to three games—will be determined following an official review by the MLB Disciplinary Committee.

The off-field distraction comes at a brutal time for the North Siders. While rookie Ben Brown recently highlighted the buzz surrounding the Cubs’ historic surge—which included a spectacular 10-game winning streak in early May—the club has hit a massive wall, dropping three consecutive series to the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and these same White Sox.

The anatomy of the altercation

A video that went viral on social media captured what was said during the incident. Immediately after the ball dropped out of play, the White Sox fan lunged forward and shouted, “You s.” Crow-Armstrong didn’t hesitate to fire back, barking a highly explicit and profane response directly at her: “S my d* you piece of s*.”

Met by reporters in the clubhouse after the game, Crow-Armstrong refused to back down from his actions or offer an apology. “Some lady decided to start talking s*, and I felt the need to say it back,” the outfielder remarked bluntly.

While trash-talk is woven into the fabric of Chicago’s baseball rivalry, the explicit nature of this exchange crossed a clear line regarding player-fan boundaries. All eyes now turn to the commissioner’s office as the Cubs await MLB’s official ruling ahead of a crucial upcoming stretch.

“Two double-digit winning streaks in a season,” Brown said after the game, according to MLB.com. “That sounds pretty wild to me, but we’re just focused on showing up every day and taking care of business.”

That milestone places Chicago in rare company across MLB history, with only a small group of teams ever reaching multiple 10-game winning streaks before their 40th game of a season.

As the Cubs remain optimistic about Matthew Boyd’s recovery timeline, the achievement has come despite rotation changes, bullpen fatigue, and injuries that have forced constant adjustments. Still, the Cubs have continued to respond with steady pitching, timely hitting, and strong defensive play.

Brown steps into rotation role and delivers steady control

Brown’s role has expanded significantly after shifting from the bullpen into the starting rotation following the injury to veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd. The adjustment has been seamless so far, with Brown continuing to deliver steady outings that give the Cubs stability during a heavy workload period.

Manager Craig Counsell credited the team’s approach during the streak, emphasizing consistency over complexity. “That means you’re doing something that’s pretty rare,” Counsell said. “But it’s really about coming in and playing a good game every day, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”

Brown’s efficiency also helped protect a bullpen that has been heavily used throughout the stretch, giving the Cubs valuable breathing room in a long and demanding schedule.

Cubs’ depth and balance continue driving historic winning stretch

Chicago’s success has been built on more than just pitching, with the lineup and defense continuing to play key roles throughout the streak. Ian Happ extended his on-base streak to 29 games, while Seiya Suzuki delivered a two-run home run that helped create separation early in the contest.

Brown pointed to that balance when reflecting on the team’s success, noting how every part of the roster contributes. “It’s all connected,” he said. “When the pitching is supported by defense and offense, everything becomes easier. We’re just trying to keep that going.”

As Chicago continues its historic run, Brown’s steady transition into a starting role stands out as one of the key reasons the Cubs have been able to sustain such a high level of consistency across multiple stretches of the season.

According to Bob Nightengale on X, Boyd underwent a partial left knee meniscectomy, with the Cubs hopeful about a relatively quick recovery timeline. Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins later shared additional details during an appearance on 104.3 The Score. “It’s more than a month for sure, and then we’ll kind of figure it out from there … So we’re optimistic about a quicker timeline,” Hawkins said.

The injury came as a surprise to the organization. Cubs manager Craig Counsell explained that Boyd suffered the setback at home while on the ground with his children before Wednesday’s game against the Reds. “It’s kind of unexplainable,” Counsell said, according to MLB.com. All of this came after the Cubs received a Nico Hoerner update in recent days.

Cubs hopeful Boyd can return sooner than expected

The Cubs avoided a worst-case scenario after Boyd’s surgery reportedly required only a partial procedure instead of a full repair. Hawkins described the operation more as a “trimming,” which gives Chicago hope that the veteran pitcher can recover faster than initially feared.

Boyd had made five starts this season before the injury, posting a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and a 1.29 WHIP across 24 innings. While the numbers have been mixed, the Cubs value his veteran presence and rotation depth during a strong start to the year.

Chicago’s pitching staff has played an important role in the team’s early success, making Boyd’s absence another challenge the club will need to manage over the coming weeks.

Cubs continue strong season despite rotation setback

Even with Boyd sidelined, the Cubs remain one of the top teams in Major League Baseball through the first stretch of the season. Counsell and the front office will now focus on maintaining stability in the rotation while Boyd works through his recovery process.

The team’s optimism surrounding the injury suggests Chicago believes the veteran left-hander can still play an important role later in the season. For now, the Cubs appear relieved that the surgery was less severe than it could have been, keeping open the possibility of Boyd returning sometime before the All-Star break.

After Alex Bregman issued warning to rivals, the Cubs are dealing with their own early-season storyline involving durability and depth. “It’s not an injury, but the kind of thing where it didn’t leave me in a place to be myself today,” Hoerner said, according to MLB.com. The second baseman had already made an impact early, doubling and scoring in the first inning before being replaced as symptoms worsened.

Counsell later explained the decision to remove him from the game. “It got worse on the swing and run around the bases,” he said. “He tried to go out there in the second and he couldn’t throw. He just couldn’t move his neck at all. It’s a muscle thing… it may be a day or two, but I think it’ll be fine after that.”

Hoerner’s early-season production highlights his importance

Before exiting, Hoerner extended his on-base streak to 12 games, continuing what has been one of the most productive stretches of his career. Through 32 games, he is hitting .297 with four home runs, nine doubles, and 26 RBIs, while maintaining strong plate discipline with 13 walks and just 14 strikeouts.

His consistent presence at the top of the lineup has been critical for Chicago, both offensively and defensively. Hoerner’s ability to generate contact and control at-bats has helped stabilize the Cubs’ offense, earning him recognition as a key engine for the team’s early success.

Cubs remain optimistic as Hoerner eyes quick return

While the situation appears minor, the Cubs will continue to monitor Hoerner closely over the coming days. The infielder noted that the tightness developed during pregame workouts and worsened during in-game action, though he did not rule out a possible connection to being hit by a pitch earlier in the week. “Got some good treatment… we’ll just see how I feel tomorrow when I get here,” Hoerner said, expressing confidence in a quick recovery.

With depth options like Matt Shaw stepping in, Chicago managed to secure the win, but the team’s outlook will largely depend on Hoerner’s health moving forward. For now, early signs suggest the Cubs may have avoided a more serious setback.