KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If the Chicago Cubs’ current path continues, again leaving them short of the postseason, there will be plenty of blame to go around for why they fell short of their goal.
But one of the most frustrating consequences of missing the playoffs would be failing to take advantage of what has been a great rotation for most of the season. The Cubs’ top three starters — Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon — possess the stuff and success that a team wants in a postseason series. Among National League starting pitchers with at least 75 innings, Imanaga (fourth), Taillon (sixth) and Steele (eighth) rank in the top 10 in ERA, while Javier Assad’s 3.15 ERA is 12th.
“We go against anyone, and it’s one of those things we know what’s at stake, we know what it takes, it’s just a hot stretch and that’s what we’re grinding and searching for,” catcher Tomás Nido told the Tribune. “A day doesn’t go by that everybody isn’t grinding. Ultimately you be prepared and try to do. You can’t control anything outside of preparation. You can’t control the results. That’s what we try to focus on.”
Taillon’s consistency has been especially valuable over the last calendar year. Since July 7, 2023, when he delivered eight innings of one-hit ball at Yankee Stadium, Taillon owns a 3.16 ERA in that span, which features 33 games and 191 innings. Only six MLB starters have posted a better ERA in that stretch.
It’s part of why Taillon could be moved before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Pitching is always a priority this time of year, especially those who possess Taillon’s track record. With the Cubs front office looking to improve the 2025 roster rather than solely acquiring help for the 2024 team, Taillon understands what that could mean for his future.
“There’s definitely noise going on and stuff,” Taillon said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve been around long enough to just understand that I have a start and I’ve got to go about my routine and if I don’t check my boxes and do what I need to do that I’m going to put the team in a bad spot. So that’s the discipline and the professionalism aspect, like, you’ve got to show up and do your job regardless.”
The Cubs lost 6-0 to the Kansas City Royals on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. They are in last place in the National League Central.
When Taillon, 32, signed a four-year, $68 million contract before last season, he did so believing the Cubs were going to be competitive and reach to the playoffs. It’s all part of the equation when evaluating options in free agency.
Taillon will earn $18 million in each of the next two seasons and has a 10-team partial no-trade clause, which was submitted to the club in the offseason. Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Taillon will start Monday in Cincinnati.
“It’s a two-way commitment, it’s kind of like a little mini marriage,” Taillon said after his start Tuesday. “I’ve had a great time here. I love showing up here every day. It’s a great group of guys. I think we’ve said it a lot, like, I feel like we should be better than we are.
“But to this point, we just haven’t gotten it done and results speak louder than any words we can say here. So, I would love to stay here. Obviously I chose coming to Chicago and being a Cub, so that’s where I’m at.”
If the Cubs move Taillon before Tuesday, it will in part indicate confidence in the organization’s young starters, though it’s concerning Ben Brown (neck) and Jordan Wicks (oblique) are both on the 60-day injured list. Wicks has been limited to only 28 innings and seven games this season because of a forearm strain and right oblique strain.
Brown was transferred to the 60-day IL on Friday to open a 40-man roster spot for catcher Christian Bethancourt. The veteran catcher was called up from Triple-A Iowa with Nido going on the 10-day IL with a Grade 1 MCL strain in his right knee. Nido felt something while catching the last few innings of Wednesday’s game.
Nido told the Tribune the Cubs will see how his knee progresses over the weekend before determining the next steps. The team hopes is the injury won’t be significant and only sideline Nido up to two weeks.
Cody Bellinger (fractured left middle finger) is still trending in the right direction. Counsell said the Cubs remain optimistic Bellinger will be activated from the IL at some point during this six-game trip. The main baseball activity Bellinger needs to test is how his finger handles velocity and mishits.
Right-hander Adbert Alzolay (right flexor strain) will join Triple A and make his first rehab appearance Saturday.
Infielder Nick Madrigal (broken hand) is nearing a rehab assignment with an affiliate hopefully within a week, Counsell said. Madrigal suffered the injury in his first game with Iowa on June 5 after being optioned by the Cubs.
