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Despite Injuries, Cubs are in Good Shape
But Happ, Swanson and Gomes need to step it up.
After a tough loss 7–6, 11 inning loss to the Mets, the Cubs sit at 19–13. Under the circumstances, that’s really good. The Cub shave been hit by a rash of injuries to their most productive players. Staff ace, Justin Steele as well as top offensive players, Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger have also missed considerable time.
In addition, Ian Happ is hitting .211 with just one home run. Yan Gomes is hitting .188 and Dansby Swanson is sitting at .232 and hasn’t been his usual consistent self in the field. And the Cubs are still at 19–13.
What’s gone right?
Start with Shota Imanaga. He’s has been even better than could have been expected. Imanaga currently has a record of 5–0 with an ERA of 0.78. And the rest of the starting rotation, with the exception of Kyle Hendricks has been lights out.
Jameson Taillon has been what the Cubs had hoped for when they signed him after the 2022 season. Javier Assad has been what Kyle Hendricks used to be and Ben Brown has acquitted himself generally well in most of his starts.
Mike Tauchman has been a revelation. His current slash line is .289-.422-.482. He’s been the Cubs’ most valuable everyday player.
