ESPN just dropped their regular-season grades for all 30 MLB teams, and Chicago’s Cubs got slapped with a B. Yeah, a B. And before you start screaming about Pete Crow-Armstrong’s unbelievable season, know that David Schoenfield’s reasoning comes down to one thing: the massive gap between what the Cubs *wanted* in the NL Central and what they actually *achieved*. They wanted that division title, and instead they’re staring down a fourth consecutive second-place finish, well behind Milwaukee. That’s the cold, hard truth of the grade.
Crow-Armstrong’s Historic Season Can’t Be Ignored
Let’s talk about Pete Crow-Armstrong for a second, because the dude is absolutely tearing it up. Schoenfield himself pointed to PCA’s insane 10.4 FanGraphs WAR. That’s the second-highest WAR by a position player in *Cubs franchise history*, sitting right behind Rogers Hornsby’s 11.0 from way back in 1929. Think about that! This isn’t just about dingers; WAR measures overall value, and Crow-Armstrong has been delivering across the board. He’s tied for first in MLB in homers, tied for fourth in triples, and fifth in stolen bases. Want to know how rare that is? Only Willie Mays in 1955, George Sisler in 1920, and Honus Wagner in 1908 have finished a season top-5 in all three categories since 1900. PCA is in legendary company, no doubt. So how in the world does a team with *that* kind of individual performance only get a B?
The Offense Is Rolling, But The Bullpen Tells Another Story
Because it’s not just PCA carrying a quiet lineup; the Cubs’ offense is straight-up *leading the majors*, according to Schoenfield. This is a powerful lineup, putting up numbers like crazy. So you’ve got a historic individual season and the league’s best offense. Sounds like an A-plus, right? But then you look at the bullpen, and it tells a different story. Fourteen Cubs relievers have notched a save this year, which is tied for the second-most in MLB history. On one hand, you’ve got a ton of guys stepping up to finish games. On the other, it means they’ve repeatedly needed someone *new* to take the ball in save situations. It shows a certain level of instability, doesn’t it? Combine all those pieces, and Chicago has been super compelling to watch. But you put those compelling pieces next to Milwaukee in the standings, well behind them, and that B grade starts making a whole lot more sense. The Brewers earned their lead, and that’s reflected in ESPN’s grade.
Look, the Cubs still have games to play, and they absolutely need to lock in that postseason berth. Schoenfield says they’re headed for the playoffs unless there’s a total collapse, which, let’s be real, is always lurking in the back of your mind. But if they secure that spot, October is a whole new ballgame. Crow-Armstrong’s impact goes way beyond just his at-bats, and that offense can put serious pressure on any opponent. They’ll need those relievers to nail down the tough outs when the games get tight. The B describes the regular season *so far*. But the Cubs still get to decide how this season is remembered. Their next games will write the real story. Don’t blink!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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