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Haters in Shambles: Pete Crow-Armstrong is an MVP Candidate

By
Aldo Soto
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Pete Crow-Armstrong, the crown jewel for Chicago Cubs fans and the most-hated player in MLB to seemingly everyone else, has not only rebounded from a tough few weeks to begin the 2026 season, but he’s also now a legit MVP candidate in the National League.

For the fans who now conveniently downplay the WAR stat to fit their narrative that the Cubs’ center fielder isn’t actually good, then you can just show them the traditional stats that show Crow-Armstrong has been an elite player ever since he silenced a rowdy crowd in St. Louis.

Chants of “overrated” rained down on Crow-Armstrong back on May 30, when the 24-year-old hit a missile into the tarps-off section in right field in Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then, Crow-Armstrong has been on another planet, single-handedly keeping any excitement watching the Cubs through the team’s prolonged rough stretch.

For those who won’t instantly wave off WAR, Crow-Armstrong is now up to 4.1 fWAR and 4.3 bWAR, ranked second and first, respectively. In Wednesday night’s 8-6 win over the Colorado Rockies, Crow-Armstrong homered for the third straight game and the fourth time in his last five.

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Last 17 Games (MLB Rankings)
9 Home Runs (t-1st)
.425 BA (3rd)
.456 OBP (8th)
.918 SLG (1st)
274 wRC+ (2nd)
1.374 OPS (2nd)
2.3 fWAR (1st)

Overall, Crow-Armstrong now has a slash line of .276/.349/.505, with 15 HR and 16 stolen bases through 75 games this season. Cubs fans saw this level of production in 2025, but then Crow-Armstrong crashed back to Earth in the second half. So, the big question is whether or not this year’s numbers are sustainable. The numbers under the hood point to a much better outlook for Crow-Armstrong for the rest of the 2026 season.

Pete Crow-Armstrong 2025 vs. 2026 (First 75 Games)
4.4 BB% – 7.8 BB%
43.7 hardhit% – 51.9 hardhit%
46.2 O-Swing% – 36.8 O-Swing%
61.5 Swing% – 52.0 Swing%
82.5 Z-Contact% – 85.0 Z-Contact%
72.3mph – 74.9mph (swing speed)

In simple terms, Crow-Armstrong is swinging less, swinging harder, and making more contact in the strike zone. He’s nearly doubled his walk rate, while also producing more quality contact, ranking in the 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate so far this season.

Legitimate changes to his approach have directly resulted in Crow-Armstrong’s rise back to superstardom.

Above, we highlighted Crow-Armstrong’s incredible 17-game stretch, but he’s been killing it on offense for far longer. Dating back to April 28, Crow-Armstrong ranks third in MLB with 14 home runs, fifth with a 174 wRC+, fifth with a .998 OPS, and leads every player with a 3.5 fWAR.

After becoming the first Cub to record a 30/30 season in 2024 since the 1990s, Pete Crow-Armstrong is on pace for another 30/30 year with the Cubs. Oh, and you know, he’s also the best defensive player in the game.

The haters can keep denying it, but right now Pete Crow-Armstrong is the best player in MLB.

Whispers Of Caleb Williams’ Projected Contract Extension Are Out And Eye-Opening

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb williams
Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Contract extensions for young players cannot be negotiated until after their third season in the league. That means the discussion for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams won’t get serious until after 2026. However, it isn’t a secret that general manager Ryan Poles is already making plans for that eventuality. Anybody who watched last season and all the things Williams did can tell he is the future of this franchise. Getting him locked up as quickly as possible makes sense, especially with how quarterback contracts continue ballooning.

What nobody knows is what that deal will look like. It is a safe assumption that Williams will get top-of-the-market money. What isn’t certain is where the market will be when that happens. League insider James Palmer of Bleacher Report has a strong idea on that. He believes the recent extension of Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, putting him at $64 million per year, has reset the market. Now it’s likely several notable names will get deals similar to or above that market. Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, could even push $70 million.

Combine that with the rising salary cap, and it is likely Williams and his fellow 2024 draft alum are looking at $60 million per year or more.

Caleb Williams himself will determine this the most.

Presuming he has another strong year, even improving on what he did last season, there is no doubt the Bears will be willing to pay. The question will be if Williams wants to exceed Mahomes and become the highest-paid guy in the sport. Given his business ventures, it isn’t difficult to imagine that is what he might shoot for. He’s within his rights to do that. The trick will be whether the Bears can convince him to take a slight discount, leaving them some flexibility to continue building the roster around him.

Tom Brady did this throughout his career in New England. He rarely ranked higher than 10th in the NFL during most of his playing years, sacrificing an estimated $60 million in earnings. That enabled the Patriots to hunt for prominent free agents and trade acquisitions to supplement the roster. Hence, the seven Super Bowl rings. Williams probably won’t go that far, but perhaps he might be willing to settle for top five in the NFL. That will be an interesting part of the negotiations.

Two names must be monitored for the next several months.

Those are Jackson and Baker Mayfield. Jackson carries an $84 million cap hit in 2027, so it’s a foregone conclusion that the Baltimore Ravens will look to extend him to reduce that number. Mayfield, meanwhile, has only one year left on his current deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s made two Pro Bowls over the past three seasons with the team. There is little chance they will let him walk next spring, so it will come down to what the two sides can work out as fair compensation. He made $33 million per year over his last contract, so he’s likely to chase a big payday.

If Jackson resets the market again, as Palmer mentioned, there is a realistic possibility Caleb Williams will command anywhere from $60-65 million per year. Much depends on whether he reaches some career milestones. Making the Pro Bowl or winning the Super Bowl would give him substantial leverage in any talks. There are several variables the Bears will have to sort through before an agreement is reached. They haven’t negotiated a massive quarterback contract since Jay Cutler in the early 2010s. Things have changed a lot since then.

Why Brian Urlacher’s Unexpected Beef With The New Stadium Reopens An Old Wound

By
Erik Lambert
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brian urlacher
Dec 12, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher during the game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears stadium odyssey has been headline news for four years now. Every time it pops up, there is another reminder of how bad the team brass is at negotiating and also how painfully duplicitous the state government can be. Now the Bears have shifted their focus to leaving Illinois, hoping to build their new venue somewhere in Hammond, Indiana. Arguments have raged about this for weeks. Many feel this would unravel over a century of team history. The Bears have called Illinois home since 1920. However, that isn’t the biggest problem Brian Urlacher has with all of it.

The Hall of Fame linebacker built his career playing at Soldier Field on the lakefront. He lives and breathes Bears football. One would think the idea of leaving downtown, much less the state, would have him pretty upset. While he admitted to Kevin Clark on his This Is Football podcast that it’s a sore spot, Urlacher stated that his biggest issue isn’t so much where they. It is what they will play in.

“I do not like the Bears playing anywhere but Soldier Field. Even if they went to Arlington Heights, which is in Illinois, they’re going to be in a dome, and if they go to Indiana they’ll be in a dome. I don’t like the idea of them playing in a dome anywhere…

…It’s the only advantage the Bears have. You go to Soldier Field in November, December? It’s gonna suck. The weather is not gonna be good. You’re not gonna like it. And playing there, you practice in it, you get used to it, there’s some advantage to that.”

Brian Urlacher raises a sensitive point with Bears fans.

The franchise has operated in the outdoors since its founding. Playing in the cold and elements is a core part of its history. Everybody remembers the frigid 1963 NFL championship game, the wild Fog Bowl in the 1988 playoffs, or the game in 2005 against San Francisco where gusts reached upwards of 30 mph. The weather has provided unforgettable moments for the franchise. Has it provided an advantage? Not really. In the Super Bowl era, the Bears have played 14 home playoff games where the temperature was 32 degrees or lower. They are 7-7 in those games. They were 2-3 against warm-weather/dome teams.

DateSeason / RoundOpponentTempResult
Jan 5, 19861985 NFC DivisionalNew York Giants14°FWin, 21-0
Jan 10, 19881987 NFC DivisionalWashington Redskins4°FLoss, 17-21
Dec 31, 19881988 NFC DivisionalPhiladelphia Eagles25°FWin, 20-12
Jan 8, 19891988 NFC ChampionshipSan Francisco 49ers17°FLoss, 3-28
Jan 5, 19911990 NFC Wild CardNew Orleans Saints32°FWin, 16-6
Jan 19, 20022001 NFC DivisionalPhiladelphia Eagles31°FLoss, 19-33
Jan 15, 20062005 NFC DivisionalCarolina Panthers27°FLoss, 21-29
Jan 14, 20072006 NFC DivisionalSeattle Seahawks32°FWin, 27-24 (OT)
Jan 21, 20072006 NFC ChampionshipNew Orleans Saints26°FWin, 39-14
Jan 16, 20112010 NFC DivisionalSeattle Seahawks31°FWin, 35-24
Jan 23, 20112010 NFC ChampionshipGreen Bay Packers21°FLoss, 14-21
Jan 6, 20192018 NFC Wild CardPhiladelphia Eagles25°FLoss, 15-16
Jan 20252024 NFC Wild CardGreen Bay Packers30°FWin, 24-20
Jan 18, 20262025 NFC DivisionalLos Angeles Rams17°FLoss, 17-20

That is not to say moving to a dome will suddenly make the Bears a better team. Only two other northern franchises have moved to domes in the Super Bowl era. Minnesota and Detroit. Neither has reached a Super Bowl since making the transition. In fact, a fixed dome team has won a championship just once. That was the Saints in 2009. If you count retractable roofs, you can add the Rams in 2021 and the Colts in 2006.

This is more about football in its purity.

The NFL built an incredible legacy on playing in all types of weather. It’s part of the aesthetic. This sanitization by putting every team in a dome removes a core element of what makes the game fun to watch. Watching the Bears slug it out with opponents in rain, wind, or snow has never not been enthralling. Brian Urlacher recognized that during his storied career. It is a key part of what built his mystique. It will be a little harder to take this team seriously as an imposing bully without the elements at their back.

Sadly, the endless pursuit of more profits always finds a way to make things worse. We’re already seeing it with the Great Reblanding across the entire business landscape. Companies are trading their bright, quirky, and colorful brands for a minimalist approach with muted colors. It sucks the soul right out of you. That is what the Bears will be doing by moving into a dome. We’ll still love them and cheer for them like crazy. It won’t be the same, though.

Why Draymond Green’s Comparison For Caleb Wilson Will Floor Bulls Fans

By
Erik Lambert
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caleb wilson
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) on the court in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Chicago Bulls fans have gotten a clearer idea of how the 2026 NBA draft is likely to fall next week. A.J. Dybantsa of BYU is still the heavy favorite to go #1 overall to the Washington Wizards. From there, it’s felt Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke will go #2 and #3 in one order or another. That will leave the Chicago Bulls with North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson as the likeliest option at #4. While it may seem like a consolation prize, plenty of experts believe Wilson might have the highest ceiling of the four.

His combination of size, length, explosive athleticism, and defensive ferocity is easy to build a team around. Common comparisons for him include four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam and two-time NBA champion Chris Bosh. However, one of the more interesting names dropped was Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. Given what he accomplished in Minnesota and Boston, that would be an incredible score. One person buying into that is four-time champion Draymond Green. He said on his podcast that not only does he see Wilson as a Garnett clone, but Garnett might actually be his floor.

That is lofty expectations for Caleb Wilson.

Calling a 15-time All-Star the floor of a draft prospect sounds insane. Then again, Green has a long-standing reputation for outlandish comments. That said, the comparison still stands. Garnett had the same template as Wilson coming out of high school: tall, long, explosive, gritty, and relentless on defense. At his peak, he averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists every night. All of that while he built his reputation as one of the best defensive power forwards in NBA history.

Expecting Caleb Wilson to become that is a little unfair. No young player should have that hanging over his head. Still, there is no question that he has the capability to match all of those achievements. After all, he very nearly averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds during his season with North Carolina. He was sorely missed in the team’s NCAA tournament opener as they had no answer for Virginia Commonwealth guard Terrence Hill Jr., who scored 34. If Wilson had been on the floor, it’s likely those scoring chances would’ve been far fewer.

The Bulls don’t have to overthink this.

Wilson has every tool imaginable to thrive in the NBA, both mentally and physically. All he needs is continued development. Chicago just hired a coach who is equipped to do that. Tiago Splitter played forward himself in his NBA career, and then proved he could develop as well during his stints in Paris Basketball and Portland. He does a great job learning the strengths of each player and crafting an approach that works for them. No doubt he picked up much of that from playing for Gregg Popovich.

While Garnett is a great comparison, it’s possible Splitter will see Wilson as more of a Kawhi Leonard type. Either way, it sure sounds like the Bulls could get somebody special. There is no predicting how NBA careers turn out. What we know for sure is that Wilson has as good a chance as any to reach superstardom. Doing so in Chicago would put him in a tier few have reached in the past 30 years.

Fresh Darnell Wright Extension Rumor Would Be A Major Win For The Bears

By
Erik Lambert
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darnell wright
Nov 2, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Oren Burks (42) during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has some significant contract issues on the horizon. Most will point to quarterback Caleb Williams as the big one. The young quarterback appears to be ascending after a strong 2025 season. If that continues, he is looking at a massive extension as early as before the 2027 season. However, he isn’t the most pressing concern. Not yet anyway. That label falls to right tackle Darnell Wright. The big offensive lineman also had a terrific year and now enters the last one of his rookie deal.

Chicago does still have the fifth-year option, which would buy them time if necessary. That said, all indicators to this point suggest both sides would like to get an extension done soon. What isn’t known is when that will happen and how much it will ultimately cost. Insider Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune offered some details on that front. Based on his feel for the situation, any agreement is more likely to happen before the start of the regular season. As for money? Expect at least $25 million a year. Probably more.

“An extension before training camp begins is possible, but that might be a little early. If I were looking at a timeline for a potential deal, I’d probably target Week 1 and not late July. Sure, both sides would like to get a deal done, but these things take time and I have to imagine Wright is hunting a massive contract.

How big? My guess is Wright is aiming to be — at minimum — in the top three among NFL right tackles. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tristan Wirfs is tops right now in annual average pay at $28.125 million, followed by the Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell, who likely is moving to left tackle this year, at $28 million. The Philadelphia Eagles’ Lane Johnson, who is 36, is third right now at $25 million. So my hunch is a new deal for Wright starts north of $25 million per season.”

Darnell Wright has earned his money.

As 1st round picks go, he is easily the most successful the Bears have produced in a long time. You’d have to go back to Roquan Smith to find somebody taken that high in the draft by this team who lived up to his potential. Wright was second-team All-Pro last season, helping pave the way for the 3rd-ranked rushing attack in the NFL while also helping to allow just 24 sacks on Williams. He allowed just 16 true pass sets, or blocks where he was one-on-one without any help. It was a stellar year.

With how much uncertainty has surrounded the Bears’ offensive line in recent years, they finally seem to have a true anchor they can build around. The good news is Darnell Wright is represented by the Octagon sports agency. They have considerable experience negotiating contracts for top offensive linemen. Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller is among them. He just signed a three-year extension at $22 million per year last offseason. So they probably have a good idea of how to work with the Bears on Wright’s situation.

Getting Wright settled leaves the Bears with two other conundrums.

While the right tackle’s extension is only a matter of time, two other members of the 2023 draft class sit on the fence. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson sit in an awkward place. Both have shown considerable flashes as starters over the past few years. Neither has played at a consistently high enough level to warrant extensions. Dexter is the closer of the two. He had a career-best six sacks last season. If he can improve on that in 2026, his chances of sticking around are at least plausible.

Stevenson is the longer shot. He was benched during most of the second half of last season. Coaches felt he wasn’t reliable enough to trust with all the responsibilities of his position. Nahshon Wright’s departure in free agency was a temporary stroke of good fortune for him. He’ll have a real shot to reclaim his starting job in training camp. Maybe he finally puts it all together. Either way, their potential deals will have to wait until Wright has been taken care of.

Chicago Cubs Analyst Calls Out Team Leadership and Edward Cabrera

By
Aldo Soto
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You won’t find this on any videos posted on Marquee, but during Tuesday night’s postgame coverage former Chicago Cubs infielder Jason Kipnis called out the team’s leadership and also questioned starting pitcher Edward Cabrera.

The 5-2 loss featured yet another frustrating night at the plate for the Cubs’ offense that went hitless for the 14th time in their last 35 games with runners in scoring position. An almost unbelievable trend seems never-ending, and on top of it, Cabrera couldn’t make it out of the fifth inning after allowing the Colorado Rockies to come back from an early 2-0 deficit.

Cabrera was the headline trade acquisition in the offseason, when the Cubs dealt Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for the right-handed starting pitcher. He began the year with good numbers, but Cabrera has heavily regressed since May, and he’s now exited two starts because of minor issues. First, it was a blister that sent Cabrera to the injured list, and then against the Rockies Cabrera called for the trainer after experiencing a cramp in his pitching hand.

It doesn’t seem like it’s a big issue, as neither Craig Counsell nor Cabrera made it seem like the pitcher would miss his next start. After hearing Cabrera speak to the media following the loss, Kipnis pretty much questioned Cabrera’s toughness and added that he wants pitchers who are bulldogs. Kipnis was stunned that Cabrera asked to come out.

Cabrera now has a 5.21 ERA in 13 starts for the Cubs. He gave up five earned runs in 4.1 innings against the Rockies, leaving in the fifth after walking the first two batters in the inning. Cabrera has gone six straight games without a quality start.

On offense, Kipnis questioned the team’s leadership, asking Cole Wright who he thought the team’s leader was. Wright at first stumbled but responded with Justin Steele, though he quickly said he’s obviously not with the team as Steele continues to rehab from his elbow surgery and setback. There was talk that the longest-tenured player, Ian Happ, but Kipnis, who was with the Cubs in 2020, said Happ is not a vocal leader. So, should the responsibility fall on guys like Dansby Swanson or Alex Bregman?

That’s when Kipnis discussed how anything players who aren’t getting the job done, like Swanson and Bregman, say may not be well received. The larger point was clear: There is no leader for the Cubs right now in the eyes of Kipnis. There is no one willing to step up and call for a team meeting, something Kipnis kept harping on.

Kipnis also questioned the lack of changes to the starting lineup or in-game strategy from Craig Counsell like utilizing more hit-and-run with guys on base.

The Cubs were 27-12 on the morning of May 9, the best record in MLB. Since then, they’re 11-24, with the same issues happening up and down the lineup. So, will anyone step up inside that clubhouse? Jason Kipnis is finally asking the hard questions, and we’ll see if the Cubs find any answers.

Inside The Bulls’ Crafty Tiago Splitter Hire And How Matas Buzelis Was Involved

By
Erik Lambert
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tiago splitter
Oct 29, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) reacts during the first half of a an NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

On the surface, it wasn’t hard to decipher why the Chicago Bulls wanted Tiago Splitter. He checked several boxes as a candidate for an NBA team. He is a former player who spent time under some coaching legends, including Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. He’s young at 41 years old, which a rebuilding team like the Bulls will need. Most importantly, he has some head coaching experience. He won a league championship in France as the head of Paris Basketball and then helped elevate the Portland Trail Blazers to their first playoff berth in half a decade.

All valid reasons. However, there was an additional one that team ownership didn’t let slip during the interview process. Apparently, they were hoping to find somebody who had a good chance of elevating Matas Buzelis. Many in the building still feel the former 1st round pick has star potential, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. His second season was an improvement from his rookie year, but it was apparent he still has consistency issues. Buzelis finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists per night. His three-point percentage actually dropped from 36.1% as a rookie to 34.9%.

Interesting Tidbit from Joel Lorenzi of the Athletic on The Score yesterday. There’s been internal belief that a star is in the building with Matas
byu/BucketHatKJ inchicagobulls

Tiago Splitter has important qualifications for this.

For starters, he played forward during his own NBA career. He has a unique understanding of the challenges that Buzelis faces and how best to overcome them. Then you can simply look to Splitter’s brief time as a coach. There is plentiful evidence suggesting he has the capability to elevate young forwards to play their best basketball. Two notable examples stand out. First was Nadir Hifi of Paris Basketball, whose points, assists, rebounds, and steals all improved after Splitter arrived in 2025. He ended up winning LNB Elite Top Scorer and Euroleague Rising Star honors.

Then you have Deni Avdija. When Portland acquired him in 2024, he was considered a solid forward who could probably get you around 17 points and seven rebounds a night. Splitter arrived and saw something more. Under his guidance, the 25-year-old broke out for 24 points and a career-high seven assists per game. This led to the first All-Star selection of his career.

PlayerLeague & SeasonMPGPPGAPGRPGSPGFG%3P%FT%
Nadir HifiLNB 2023–24 (Before)21.715.61.92.00.844.2%38.0%81.9%
Nadir HifiLNB 2024–25 (Under)22.518.22.22.11.043.4%39.1%87.3%
Deni AvdijaNBA 2024–25 (Before)30.016.93.97.21.047.6%36.5%78.0%
Deni AvdijaNBA 2025–26 (Under)33.324.26.76.90.846.2%31.8%80.2%

You don’t often get layered hires like this.

Usually, when a time brings in a new coach, it is for one specific purpose or another. They want somebody who can develop young players. They want somebody who can manage veteran personalities. It isn’t every day that you want to bring in a guy who both fits your desire to develop young guys and, hopefully, also rescues a specific player. Tiago Splitter fit those criteria for the Bulls, which further explains why they moved on him so quickly once it became clear Portland was trying to lowball him on a new contract.

There are no excuses left for Buzelis. If the former 1st round truly is destined for stardom, he’s been given the perfect setup. He’ll have no competition for his spot at small forward, still has a good point guard who can feed him the ball, and now has a head coach with the necessary expertise to expand his game. The vision is clear. Chicago hopes to hit it big in this upcoming draft on at least one of their 1st round picks while also getting Buzelis up to All-Star status. If they succeed, the Bulls will be a resurgent power in the East.

Another Mismanaged Injury by the Chicago Cubs?

By
Aldo Soto
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Oct 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia (48) reacts against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning for game four of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

On top of the Chicago Cubs losing closer Daniel Palencia to an elbow injury, it also now appears as though there might have been some mismanagement of the right-handed pitcher before he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. At the very least, it’s a bad look because the timeline of how these things happen do paint quite an unflattering picture for the Cubs.

Palencia isn’t scheduled to get any scans, which I guess is good news. However, his second IL stint of the year was bound to happen after he was checked out in his last appearance on Monday against the Colorado Rockies. Palencia convinced Craig Counsell and the trainer to let him remain in the game, and he looked fine afterward, striking out three straight batters after the bad body language was detected.

Yet it was later confirmed that Palencia had been experiencing symptoms for some time, dating back to his outing last Wednesday in Colorado. He didn’t pitch for four days, returned on Monday, pitched, something was obviously still off because there was enough worry that a visit was needed, and ultimately, Palencia’s elbow didn’t respond well after Monday’s game, and it felt worse on Tuesday.

At this point, you just hope it’s nothing more serious than the elbow inflammation and that Palencia can return as soon as possible. Just another in the series of many injuries to the Cubs’ pitching staff in 2026. Maybe it was inevitable, no matter how the Cubs handled Palencia.

Daniel Palencia Back on the Injured List

Of course. At this point, nothing should surprise Chicago Cubs fans when it comes to injuries as the 2026 season continues to be one of the worst in recent memory. For the second time this year, Cubs closer Daniel Palencia has been placed on the 15-day injured list.

The 26-year-old pitcher pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Monday night’s 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Palencia was credited with the win after striking out three batters in the ninth. During his relief appearance, manager Craig Counsell did make a trip to the mound to check on Palencia. Whatever the reliever said was convincing enough to remain in the game, and all seemed fine as he stranded a runner by striking out the next three batters.

Unfortunately, something was wrong, and prior to Tuesday’s game at Wrigley Field, Palencia was sidelined due to right elbow inflammation. Back in April, Palencia was placed on the injured list because of an oblique strain, which kept him off the active roster for about three weeks. In 2025, Palencia was on the injured list for two weeks in September as he dealt with a shoulder strain, but the hard-throwing righty did return and pitched well down the stretch and in the postseason.

It’s been an odd 2026 season for Palencia, who came in riding high after winning the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela. After claiming the closer role last year, Palencia has only had three save opportunities through June 15. He’s only pitched in 19 total games and has remained relatively good, posting a 2.70 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 16.2 innings.

The Cubs have called up right-hander Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A to replace Palencia on the active roster. Hollowell wasted a golden opportunity in early May to grab a bullpen spot, allowing a couple of runs in a blowout game that forced the Cubs to go to Palencia with two outs in the ninth inning.

Since then, Hollowell has pitched in nine games with the Iowa Cubs, and although his 4.82 ERA in that stretch looks bad, all five runs he’s allowed in 9.1 innings came in one game, when he walked three, gave up three hits, and could not record an out.

So, who will be the closer now without Palencia in the bullpen? Well, believe it or not, the best option is clearly Jacob Webb. A guy who was public enemy number one in April has been the team’s best reliever this season. Webb has a 2.93 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. Since May 1, Webb has allowed four earned runs in 20 innings, a 1.80 ERA to go along with a 30.4 K% and 5.1 BB%.

The Craziest, Saddest, Most Unbelievable Chicago Cubs Stat That Will Make Fans Throw Up

By
Aldo Soto
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You keep thinking to yourself that this game or that series is rock bottom, then it keeps getting worse. The Chicago Cubs are 11-24 dating back to May 9, when they were shut out by the Texas Rangers, and that 6-0 loss was the start of what’s been nearly impossible to fathom.

At the time, the Cubs had the best record in baseball (27-12), had won 10 straight games (20 of 23), and had the No. 1 offense in MLB. Since then, the team has been bad all around, with the starting rotation taking a major step back. Yet at least there’s the injury excuse for the pitching staff and its shortcomings. When it comes to the offense, this is a veteran group that has miserably failed to resemble anything close to a professional one.

Hitting with runners in scoring position has been the main talking point surrounding the team this entire season, and you can pinpoint exactly when shit hit the fan. In that 6-0 loss to the Rangers on May 9, the Cubs had plenty of opportunities with runners on. That’s pretty much been the team’s demise since. But as much as it’s looked or felt bad watching the Cubs try to hit in clutch situations for the past six weeks, it is a lot worse when you actually dive into the numbers.

It began with a 0-for-13 performance against the Rangers. Insane, yet that’s pretty much become the norm for the Cubs offense. In their past 35 games, the Cubs have ended a game without a single hit with runners in scoring position 14 times. That accounts for 40% of their games since May 9.

In Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs stranded nine men on base and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. As a team, the Cubs are hitting .168 with runners in scoring position in the last 35 games, tied with the Detroit Tigers for the worst mark in MLB.

What began as a fluke is now what the Cubs are. A team that has no semblance of a plan when they go up to the plate, and there are men in scoring position. We’re not talking about a team filled with rookies, learning on the fly, inexperience playing a factor. No. Alex Bregman, 11th year in the league. Ian Happ, 10th year in the league. Dansby Swanson, 11th year in the league. Nico Hoerner came up in 2019; he’s been an everyday starter since 2022. Seiya Suzuki is in his fifth MLB season, preceded by four years in Japan.

The worst-hitting team with runners in scoring position. An entire team at .168 over 35 games. A group of players that were expected to lead the Cubs to a division title. The faces of these struggles are Happ and Bregman, who are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the most runners left on base in MLB.

Pathetic.

Half the team isn’t going to be benched, so it remains stunning that there haven’t been any rumors whatsoever indicating that the hitting coach is on the hot seat. Who knows, a second series loss within a week against the worst team in baseball might change that? You’d think someone would get fired over this by now.

It’s a one-man show for the Cubs right now and thank god because there wouldn’t be any joy watching the Cubs without Pete Crow-Armstrong in 2026.

Concerning White Sox Rotation Trend Exposed Again As Davis Martin Struggles vs Yankees

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Jun 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Davis Martin (65) reacts after walking New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (not pictured) with the bases loaded to force in a run during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Davis Martin has been far and away the best starting pitcher on the Chicago White Sox this year, but a concerning trend has reared its ugly head once again on Tuesday night in the Bronx. 

Martin entered Tuesday’s start against the New York Yankees looking to become the first pitcher in the American League to reach 10 wins this season. In his last ten starts, he had gone six plus innings while allowing one earned run or fewer in seven of them. 

But that dominant stretch came to an abrupt end Tuesday, when Martin allowed a season-high nine runs in a 12-2 loss at Yankee Stadium, causing his ERA to balloon from 2.41 to 3.31.

While Martin received little help from his defense,  including a mental mistake by rookie Jacob Gonzalez that extended the second inning,  the right-hander also lacked his usual command in and around the strike zone.

Martin threw just 51 of his 88 pitches for strikes, a 58% strike rate, well below the major league average of roughly 62%. The lack of command led to three walks, only the second time in 14 starts he has issued more than two free passes, and repeatedly put him behind in counts, allowing Yankees hitters to tee off and collect eight hits, the second most Martin has surrendered in a start this season.

While it’s easy to say “just flush it” and chalk Tuesday up as an outlier, Martin’s uneven road results have mirrored a broader trend within the White Sox rotation this season.

Martin has been noticeably better pitching at Rate Field, despite it being considered a hitter-friendly ballpark. Across six home starts, he is 5-0 with a 1.01 ERA across  35 2/3 innings while posting a 0.95 WHIP and a 40-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

However, in his eight road starts, he owns a 5.09 ERA in 46 innings, with a 1.37 WHIP and a 43-to-13 strikeout to-walk ratio. 

Before surrendering nine runs to the Yankees, Martin’s previous two road starts had already shown signs of trouble. He allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field and four runs in 5 2/3 innings against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.

His rough outing against Minnesota came with a caveat. It was his second straight start against the Twins, giving hitters another look at his pitch mix and approach. But his start in San Francisco was more notable, as it marked the first time all season he had allowed more than three runs in an outing.

Martin’s home-road split is not unique within the White Sox rotation. Anthony Kay has struggled away from Rate Field, posting a 6.04 ERA on the road compared with a 3.08 ERA at home. Erick Fedde has seen a similar divide, turning in a 3.29 ERA on the South Side versus a 6.18 mark in road starts.

The lone exception in the White Sox rotation has been Sean Burke, who has pitched better on the road with a 3.60 ERA compared with a 4.44 mark at home.

Those home-road disparities within the rotation have been a significant factor in the White Sox uneven results, with the club posting a 14-21 record away from Chicago compared with a 24-12 mark at home.

One start will not define Martin’s season. The 29-year-old has already shown he can bounce back from a rough outing when he threw six scoreless innings against a vaunted Atlanta Braves lineup after he got roughed up by the Twins at Target Field. 

But the road splits will be something to monitor in the coming weeks, especially from their ace, as Chris Getz in the front office, decides how to attack the trade deadline. The White Sox have a clear need for some additional pitching depth, but true contenders need to be able to find ways to win away from home.

Chicago, which is among just seven MLB teams with fewer than 15 road wins this season, will need that trend to shift if they want to remain atop the AL Central standings.

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