Chicago Cubs Fall Short Against Blue Jays Amid Bullpen Struggles
For 15 innings, the Chicago Cubs appeared to be regaining their winning momentum. They had triumphed twice this season with 10-game winning streaks. On Friday and Saturday, the Cubs hosted Toronto at Wrigley Field, dominating the Blue Jays with a 21-2 score in the first 15 innings. Cubs fans felt hopeful after their team took a commanding 5-0 lead through six innings on Saturday, following a 16-2 victory on Friday. The atmosphere at Wrigley Field was lively, with over 40,000 fans in attendance. Unfortunately, the bullpen struggled, leading to an 8-6 loss. Relief pitcher Jacob Webb expressed frustration with his performance. Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays was postponed due to weather and rescheduled for August 6 at 1:20 p.m., leaving fans disappointed. They were anticipating an interesting pitching duel between Shota Imanaga and Dylan Cease.
Key Takeaways
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Outstanding June Performance
“His production has just been excellent,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell remarked.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a standout player in June. After overcoming early-season struggles, he has achieved impressive statistics. In 17 games this month, the center fielder hit .437 with an on-base percentage of .481, a slugging percentage of .930, and an OPS of 1.411. He also recorded nine home runs, 14 RBIs, and six stolen bases. Remarkably, he nearly hit for a cycle against the Giants on June 13 and completed a cycle against the Rockies two days later. Manager Craig Counsell noted his valuable contributions to the team.
Before Saturday, Crow-Armstrong had a streak of 18 games with 34 hits, including nine home runs, five doubles, two triples, and six stolen bases. According to Stats Perform, these numbers are unmatched in major-league history for an 18-game span. His increased walk rate has also been crucial. He walked 29 times in 157 games in 2025 and already has 28 walks in 77 games this year. His focus as a leadoff hitter is on getting on base to contribute to team success.
Crow-Armstrong commented on his approach, acknowledging his growing ability to choose between swinging and walking. Counsell praised his aggressive yet strategic swing approach.
2. Impact of Unexpected Off Day on Starting Rotation
Postponement of Sunday’s game affected the Cubs’ pitching plans. Shota Imanaga will face the Mets on Monday, with Edward Cabrera and Javier Assad scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday starts. Cabrera had an early exit in his last game due to a cramp. Meanwhile, Matthew Boyd, the opening day starter, underwent rehab, striking out seven in four scoreless innings for Single-A South Bend. He is recovering from a left meniscus injury with lingering shoulder issues.
3. Nearing End of Allegedly Easier Schedule
The Cubs started a stretch of 22 games against teams with losing records on June 2. So far, they are 8-9, plus a rainout. They face the Mets next, followed by the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on June 28. Despite the struggles, the Cubs recorded a 6-4 mark over their last 10 games, leading their division during this period. Cincinnati, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh followed with mixed results.
Jeff Vorva provided this report for the Chicago Tribune.