The Chicago Cubs have emerged as one of Major League Baseball’s top teams this season, boasting a 21-14 record and a three-game lead in the National League Central division.
A Strong Start with One Caveat
This impressive start stands out, especially when considering the tough opponents the Cubs have faced. Their March and April schedule was the most challenging stretch any team will encounter this year, based on last season’s winning percentage.
Despite this, the Cubs finished April with an 18-13 record and have continued their strong play in May, posting a 3-1 record so far this month.
Offensive Explosion
A key driver behind the Cubs’ success has been their offense, which ranks among the best in the league. Chicago leads Major League Baseball in Batting Average (.262), Runs (208), Stolen Bases (45), and Hits (323). Several players have had breakout seasons, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Carson Kelly, and even Seiya Suzuki, who is showing significant growth at the plate.
The Rotation’s Weak Spot
Despite the offensive firepower, the Cubs are facing a major issue with their pitching rotation. After Justin Steele’s season-ending injury earlier in the year, the Cubs have relied on pitchers who are typically relievers to fill starting roles. Even with this challenge, the Cubs’ starting rotation has managed to post a solid 3.44 ERA, ranking fifth in baseball.
Injury Setback for Shota Imanaga
However, the situation got more difficult with the recent injury to star pitcher Shota Imanaga. Cubs manager Craig Counsell provided an update on Imanaga, explaining that he felt something while running to cover first base and would undergo imaging to assess the injury.
Imanaga had previously been removed from his last start due to a milder hamstring issue, which was initially thought to be due to dehydration or fatigue. However, this new injury could be more serious.
Looking Ahead
Imanaga’s injury is expected to sideline him for at least a few starts, though the full timeline is still uncertain. With a similar injury keeping Justin Steele out for about a month last season, it’s likely that Imanaga could miss a comparable amount of time.
Thankfully, the injury is less concerning than a shoulder or arm issue in terms of long-term career impact, though it could derail his season if not properly managed.
Regardless of Imanaga’s return, the Cubs will need their offense to remain dominant as they face the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Cincinnati Reds in the coming weeks.