The Chicago Cubs are locked in a brutal fight with the Philadelphia Phillies right now, scrapping for that crucial No. 4 seed in the National League. That spot isn’t just a number, it’s the top NL Wild Card position and guarantees home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, which is absolutely massive as the final weeks of the season fly by.
An AL Executive Just Dropped A Truth Bomb About Chicago’s World Series Chances
Amidst all this high-stakes competition, an American League executive just delivered a wild take that everyone needs to hear. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers got the scoop, revealing this exec’s “very strong belief” that the Cubs “will always have a chance” to win a World Series. Sounds good, right? But here’s the kicker: it’s only if they avoid one simple, critical mistake: giving up home runs. This exec wasn’t holding back, saying, “I’ll take the Cubs. First in offense, first in defense, and a No. 1-type starter in Clay Holmes. I know they just had bullpen problems, but as long as they keep the ball in the park, the Cubs will always have a chance.” That’s high praise for their overall game, but that “bullpen problems” comment and the focus on the long ball? That’s the stuff that keeps fans up at night.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Is An MVP, But Their Pitching Staff Is The Real Achilles’ Heel
It’s no secret the Cubs boast an elite offense and defense. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the charge in both, and he’s looking like the likely NL MVP this season. The guy is a force, no doubt about it. But even an MVP can only do so much on his own. The cold, hard truth is that while Clay Holmes is a solid starter and there are other intriguing arms on the staff, this pitching group , rotation and bullpen combined , has a serious problem. Shota Imanaga, one of their key pitchers, has given up the most home runs in MLB, tied with Aaron Nola. That’s not just a stat, that’s a blinking red light heading into October! If the long ball becomes an issue in the postseason, their elite offense and defense might not be enough to carry them deep. It sounds like this Cubs pitching staff could literally be the team’s Achilles’ heel.
The next few weeks are absolutely pivotal for Chicago. Can they figure out how to keep the ball in the yard? If they can, that elite defense and high-octane offense just might spark a deep postseason run. If not, all those “first in offense, first in defense” stats won’t mean a thing when the season ends too soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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