The Chicago Cubs enter the second half of the 2026 Major League Baseball season in an enviable position, sitting 12 games above the .500 mark and holding one of the National League’s top Wild Card spots. With the postseason firmly within reach, Chicago is also expected to be an aggressive buyer before the MLB trade deadline as the front office looks to strengthen a roster capable of making a deep October run.
The outlook is even more encouraging with several key pitchers nearing a return from injury. Veteran starter Jameson Taillon is expected back shortly after the All-Star break, while Edward Cabrera could rejoin the rotation within the next month. Relievers Ben Brown and Justin Steele may also provide valuable bullpen reinforcements during the final weeks of the regular season.
However, trade additions and returning players alone may not be enough.
If the Cubs hope to secure a playoff berth and emerge as legitimate National League contenders, several established players will need to elevate their performances after inconsistent first halves. Here are four Cubs whose production could determine how far Chicago goes in 2026.
Alex Bregman Needs to Rediscover His All-Star Form
Few players have generated more frustration this season than veteran third baseman Alex Bregman.
After arriving in Chicago with expectations of anchoring the middle of the lineup, Bregman has struggled to consistently produce at the level that made him one of baseball’s premier infielders during his years with Houston.
Despite the disappointing first half, the Cubs continue to view him as one of the most important bats in the lineup.
A healthy and productive Bregman would not only lengthen Chicago’s offense but also ease pressure on a pitching staff that has battled injuries throughout the season.
There are encouraging signs that he may finally be turning the corner.
Before the All-Star break, Bregman showed renewed confidence at the plate, leading the Cubs in RBIs since June 30. During the final series against the Cincinnati Reds, he collected four hits in 14 plate appearances, including two home runs and a double, providing optimism that his bat is beginning to heat up at the perfect time.
If that resurgence continues, Chicago’s offense could become significantly more dangerous during the playoff race.
Shota Imanaga Must Anchor the Rotation
Left-hander Shota Imanaga remains one of the Cubs’ most important starting pitchers, but his second season has been more inconsistent than many expected.
Through 19 starts, Imanaga owns a 4.17 ERA, numbers that reflect both encouraging improvements and lingering concerns.
Advanced metrics show he has become much more effective at inducing hitters to chase pitches outside the strike zone, ranking among the league’s best in chase rate. He has also reduced hard contact compared to previous stretches of his career.
Yet one issue continues to haunt him—allowing home runs.
The Cubs cannot afford further regression from one of their frontline starters, particularly while waiting for injured pitchers to return. Even if Chicago acquires another starter before the trade deadline, the rotation will still rely heavily on Imanaga delivering quality outings every fifth day.
A dominant second half from the Japanese left-hander could stabilize the pitching staff heading into October.
Caleb Thielbar Must Strengthen a Shaky Bullpen
The Cubs’ bullpen has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout much of the season, and veteran left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar has quietly struggled despite receiving less attention than some of his teammates.
Thielbar owns a 4.23 ERA through 32 appearances, but his advanced statistics suggest his performance has been even less effective than those numbers indicate.
His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) sits above 5.00, reflecting command issues that have plagued him throughout the year.
Although he continues to generate swings and misses, his control has deteriorated significantly. His walk rate has climbed to nearly 11 percent—roughly five percentage points higher than last season—allowing opposing hitters more opportunities to capitalize.
The Cubs are expected to reinforce the bullpen before the trade deadline, but internal improvement from experienced relievers like Thielbar will be equally important if Chicago hopes to navigate high-pressure games down the stretch.
Nico Hoerner Must Break Out of His Prolonged Slump
Second baseman Nico Hoerner’s season has been one of the biggest surprises on the roster.
After opening the year playing at an MVP-caliber level, Hoerner’s offensive production has fallen dramatically over the past several months.
Although there were signs of improvement late in June, those gains disappeared as July began.
This month, Hoerner has struggled mightily, posting an OPS below .400 while producing almost no offensive impact. His advanced metrics have not changed dramatically from last season, making his prolonged slump difficult to explain.
The primary difference has been a slight reduction in ground balls, but that alone fails to account for such a steep offensive decline.
Chicago’s lineup is at its best when Hoerner serves as a consistent table-setter near the top of the batting order, using his speed, contact skills, and defensive excellence to create scoring opportunities.
If he regains his early-season form, the Cubs’ offense becomes significantly deeper and more balanced heading into the postseason.
Chicago’s Success May Depend on Internal Improvement
The Cubs appear well-positioned to add talent before the trade deadline and welcome several injured pitchers back into the fold, but those moves alone may not determine their fate.
For Chicago to remain among the National League’s elite and mount a serious postseason run, veterans such as Alex Bregman, Shota Imanaga, Caleb Thielbar, and Nico Hoerner must all produce at a higher level during the season’s final months.
If those key contributors find their best form, the Cubs could enter October as one of baseball’s most complete teams and a legitimate contender for the World Series.
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