Today’s Reflections
What an interesting way to end a series — consecutive extra-inning games. With the Manfred Man, the 10th inning is a toss-up, which was evident as the Cubs and Cardinals split the games in extra time (World Cup, go away!). That gave Chicago the three-games-to-one win in the series.
The MVP of the series has to be Alex Bregman, who really stepped up to be the team’s table setter, going 10-for-18 with a walk, seven runs scored, 3 RBI, a home run and six doubles. For Wednesday and Thursday, he combined for 3-for-8 with a walk, two runs scored, two doubles and an RBI, including his game-winning RBI-double on Thursday.
Nico Hoerner also had a big series, going 6-for-16 with three runs scored, six RBI, a home run and a stolen base. After having a hitless pinch-hitting appearance on Wednesday on a day-off, Hoerner went 3-for-5 with the stolen base on Thursday.
Seiya Suzuki had a solid series, also going 6-for-16 with three walks, four runs scored, two RBI and two doubles. Most of that was in the first two games as he went for 1-for-6 with two walks and a run scored in the final two.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ get mentions for their extra-inning contributions. PCA drove in two runs with a home run in the 10th inning on Wednesday, while on Thursday, Happ added an insurance run with an RBI-double.
The Cubs had a 5-2 roadtrip. PCA had a drastically different pair of series. Against the Pirates, he went 7-for-14 with a walk, four runs scored, five RBI, two home runs, three doubles and a triple. Meanwhile, in the Cardinals’ series, PCA went 3-for-17 with just one walk, a run scored, 3 RBI, and the home run as his only extra-base hit.
I bring that up because the Cubs took three-of-four from the Cards without much contribution from PCA. If that sinks in for the rest of the team, that has to be an extra boost for them. And I’m sure PCA noticed it for sure.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Cubs almost wasted a pair of pitching performances — one excellent and one solid. Both kept the Cubs in the games with a chance to win in extras.
Matthew Boyd put together what I think was his best performance of the year Wednesday with seven shutout innings, stranding four hits and two walks while striking out five. That’s the first time since April that he’s pitched back-to-back homerless games.
Javier Assad also kept the ball in the ballpark as he stepped into the open spot in the Cubs rotation Thursday. He managed 4.1 innings and had to work out of some jams due to allowing six hits and two walks. Assad used his defense and six strikeouts hold the Cards to one run. His 83 pitches were the most he has thrown since June 17th.
So it was a good series and road trip with two winnable games the team dropped. But there were a lot of overall very positive performances for the team to build on heading into the dog days of August.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
Thurday’s Game Stories:
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/30/26): Cubs 4, Cardinals 2 F/10 – Extra-Inning Win Takes Series in St. Louis. “The Cubs and Cardinals played a very tight contest at Busch Stadium Thursday afternoon that required extra innings for the second consecutive day.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Bregman’s 10th-inning double helps Cubs take series from rival Cardinals. “With a pair of two-base hits on Thursday, Bregman finished the series with a 10-for-18 showing (.556 average) that included seven extra-base hits and seven runs scored.”
Wednesday’s Game Stories:
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): PCA’s tiebreaking blast can’t save Cubs from 10th-inning loss. “Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a must-see moment for the Cubs when they needed it most, but the Cardinals found their way to three runs in the 10th inning to send Chicago to a 3-2 loss in walk-off fashion.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/29/26): Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 F/10 – PCA Homer Not Enough in Extras Loss. “The Cubs and Cardinals played a full nine innings that were largely uneventful on Wednesday night, with no runs crossing the plate. ”
Down-the-Stretch Trade Deadline Stories:
- Skubal Stories:
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Sun-Times): Column: If Tarik Skubal truly is on the Chicago Cubs’ radar, the only question is ‘How soon is now?’ “History suggests they’ll shoot for the moon, settle for a middle-of-the-road starter and keep the prospects, explaining later that the price was too exorbitant.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ trade-deadline search for pitching includes Tarik Skubal: Sources. “Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has a close relationship with his Detroit counterpart, Scott Harris.”
- Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Are the Cubs Fully Back in On a Tarik Skubal Blockbuster Trade? “The Chicago Cubs were seemingly out on pursuing one of the biggest names on the market, but a new report suggests that’s not the case at all.”
- Peralta/Holmes/Mets Stories:
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Mets-Twins trade confirms the easiest need Cubs can address at 2026 trade deadline. “The New York Mets’ trade with the Minnesota Twins involving A.J. Minter is a good sign for one thing the Chicago Cubs want to accomplish at the MLB trade deadline.”
- Matt Sullivan (Sporting News): Cubs predicted to trade for Mets’ 2.39 ERA starting pitcher amid dire need. “This Cubs prediction would make a lot of sense amid the team’s dire deadline need.”
- Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs in deadline mix for Freddy Peralta as Mets seek top-100 prospect in trade: Sources. “Peralta was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night as his trade market heats up.”
- Garrett Kerman (ClutchPoints): Cubs must finally pull trigger on this Freddy Peralta trade with Mets. “Cubs pursue Freddy Peralta trade with Mets, offering Jefferson Rojas and Jaxon Wiggins for the proven starter’s rotation boost.”
- Angels-Related Stories:
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): 3 reasons why Reid Detmers makes too much sense for the Cubs at 2026 trade deadline. “Reid Detmers has emerged as a Cubs’ trade deadline fit, and it’s easy to see why.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs may have gotten unexpected trade deadline boost from Angels-Rangers deal. “All signs point to Los Angeles being very open to moving controllable pieces.”
- Josh Davis (ClutchPoints): Next move Angels should make after Chase Silseth, Logan O’Hoppe trade. “The Los Angeles Angels should trade Reid Detmers to the Cubs for Owen Ayers after moving Logan O’Hoppe and Chase Silseth to the Rangers next.”
- Carson Kelly???
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Carson Kelly’s name unexpectedly pops up in latest Cubs trade deadline rumor. “Not a name I had on my ‘tradeable pieces’ bingo card.”
- Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): A Carson Kelly Trade May Be On the Table for the Cubs – But Should It Be? “The Chicago Cubs have reportedly talked about their No. 1 catcher with teams as the deadline approaches.”
- Blocked Minor Leaguers:
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Why Cubs Have Talked About 3 Buy-Low Starters Mired in Minor Leagues. “Working to shore up their rotation for the balance of 2026 and to get a head start on a longer-term improvement, the Cubs have discussed controllable arms whose stock is down, sources say.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs’ controllable starter could come from Marlins, and it’s not Sandy Alcantara. “After dumping Jameson Taillon, Chicago’s trade deadline takes on added importance.”
- Emerson Hancock Stories:
- Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Why Would the Cubs Ever Pay This Absurd Price for Emerson Hancock? “A new rumor has some believing the Cubs could land Emerson Hancock … but for an arm and a leg.”
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Carson Kelly, Seiya Suzuki absence vs Yankees adds curiosity to looming Mariners-Cubs rumor. “Carson Kelly and Seiya Suzuki, both subject of trade rumors, are not in the Chicago Cubs’ lineup against the New York Yankees on Friday.”
- Various Other Trade Stories:
- Matthew Lenz (North Side Baseball): Should the Chicago Cubs Pursue Hunter Greene? “Multiple MLB insiders are reporting that Hunter Greene is drawing significant trade interest. Should the Chicago Cubs bite?”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Coming off a series win in St. Louis, can the Chicago Cubs capitalize at the trade deadline? “Perhaps nothing embodies the state of the Chicago Cubs bullpen through four months more than this: It already set a franchise record for most pitchers to record a save in one season.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): This trade deadline is the moment that Cubs president Jed Hoyer has been waiting for. “Jed Hoyer’s personal stake in this venture is enormous.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Allowing Myself Some Silly September Bullpen Dreams. “That discussion got me thinking bigger picture about how the bullpen situation COULD look come, say, September.”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Live Little Lies, Lose Big Games: Cubs Get Stern Reminder of Key Trade Deadline Need. “Chicago has a real opportunity to add a proven starter without dismantling its big-league roster.”
- Rich Eberwein (Cubbies Crib): Pedro Ramirez has forced Cubs into difficult 2026 trade deadline decision. “Pedro Ramirez’s breakout hot streak has given the Cubs a major trade deadline dilemma.”
- Paul Niemiec (North Side Baseball): Could Cubs Acquire a Platoon Partner for Ian Happ at MLB Trade Deadline? “Ian Happ has struggled all season against left-handed pitching, but his excellent defense and his status in the clubhouse put the Cubs in an awkward spot if they look for a platoon partner.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): As Cubs aim to upgrade pitching at trade deadline, high-scoring hitters show what’s possible in playoffs. “Pitching will be the Cubs’ obvious focus at the trade deadline, but in the days leading up to Aug. 3, the position-player group is putting up big run totals and showing the winning foundation they can be come October.”
Assorted Stories:
- Injury Updates:
- Andrew Seligman (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs’ Justin Steele says recovery is progressing, but no timetable for his return. “Steele said he is pain-free. He has been rehabbing at the team’s facility in Mesa, Arizona, and in Chicago during homestands. He played catch on Friday and plans to throw about 20 pitches off the mound on Saturday.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs Place Gavin Hollowell on IL, Promote Antoine Kelly. “I was a few weeks early on the idea of lefty Antoine Kelly earning a promotion, but the time has now come.”
- Bregman/PCA/Ramirez Stories:
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Big series vs. Cardinals shows what Cubs can do when Alex Bregman is hot: ‘Hopefully, I keep that rolling’ “Bregman bashed out 10 hits, seven of them extra-base knocks, in a monster four-game series in St. Louis, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what this Cubs team can do when he’s swinging a dangerous bat.”
- Andrew Wright (Yardbarker): Alex Bregman is slowly turning into exactly who Cubs paid him to be. “His recent production is a promising sign that hasn’t been prevalent at any point during the season.”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong gets praise from Kevin Kiermaier after passing outfielder for 5-star catches. “Pete Crow-Armstrong, on his way to completing his third full big-league season, has already made his case as the best outfielder in the game.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Trade chip or future piece? Right now, Pedro Ramirez happy to help Cubs: ‘It’s always been a dream of mine’. “Fans are speculating that Ramirez could be the Cubs’ most attractive young trade chip as they shop for pitching ahead of the trade deadline, and his performance is backing up that idea.”
- Pitching Staff/Etc. Stories:
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): With Cubs on search for starters at Deadline, the rotation has quietly stabilized. ““There was a time when we were like, ‘Who is going to start games for us?’” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.“
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Ahead of expected trade-deadline pitching adds, Cubs starters rolling: ‘A lot of talent in our rotation’. “The Cubs are expected to add arms ahead of Monday’s deadline, but the starting rotation is pitching terrifically at the moment, showing what’s possible if and when more depth or big names join the party.”
- Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Trent Thornton Should Be Booted from the Chicago Cubs Bullpen. “If you have been paying any attention to the Chicago Cubs in recent weeks, then you weren’t surprised when Trent Thornton blew Wednesday night’s game vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.”
- Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Yankees making themselves at home during week in Chicago. “With four games against the White Sox at Rate Field and three against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Yankees are spending the week in the same hotel. They might as well get comfy.”
Food For Thought:
Joanne Shaw Taylor, discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16, has carved out an impressive niche for herself in the world of blues-rock. After witnessing her remarkable guitar playing, Stewart immediately invited her to join his supergroup, D.U.P., setting the wheels in motion for a flourishing musical career. Her prodigious talent on the guitar earned her accolades from several industry giants, including Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder, and Annie Lennox.
Now in her 30s, Joanne has emerged as one of the most coveted guitarists in the rock domain. The journey over the past two decades has seen her evolve into a prolific songwriter, with each of her acclaimed albums being more successful than the last. Her 2019 album, Reckless Heart, broke into the UK Top 20 Album Chart, solidifying her standing as one of the most important British blues-rock exports.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
