The Chicago Cubs have spent much of the 2026 season positioning themselves for another postseason run, but a growing problem in the bullpen could make the final weeks far more stressful than expected.
Chicago remains in the thick of the National League Wild Card race, but recent struggles on the road have exposed a weakness that the club can no longer afford to ignore. The Cubs have dropped five of their last seven games, including a frustrating series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and their bullpen has repeatedly allowed opportunities to slip away late.
The issue is particularly concerning because the Cubs are entering the most important part of the schedule. With only a limited number of games remaining, every late-inning mistake carries significantly more weight. Chicago reportedly holds a two-game advantage in the Wild Card race, but its margin for error is shrinking.
Jacob Webb has been one of the more reliable relief options overall, posting a 2.91 ERA and recording nine saves. However, he has also blown six save opportunities, highlighting the inconsistency that has become a major concern for manager Craig Counsell.
Daniel Palencia’s return has provided another potential solution, although his performances have been mixed. Meanwhile, injuries to pitchers such as Ben Brown and Hunter Harvey have further reduced the Cubs’ available depth.
That puts additional pressure on the current group to find consistency before the postseason begins.
The timing could hardly be more important. Chicago is coming home after a difficult western road trip and now faces a crucial series against the Cincinnati Reds before another major test against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs need to start protecting leads more consistently if they want to remain firmly in control of their playoff destiny.
The Cubs have already demonstrated that their offense can explode when everything clicks. Their 19-2 demolition of the Seattle Mariners earlier this month showed just how dangerous the lineup can be, with Ian Happ and Pedro Ramírez hitting grand slams while Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Conforto also went deep.
But explosive offense will not be enough if the bullpen continues surrendering leads.
For Chicago, the formula is becoming increasingly simple: get stronger performances from the relievers, protect late leads and avoid giving away winnable games.
If the bullpen stabilizes, the Cubs have enough talent to make a serious postseason run. If the late-inning problems continue, however, what looked like a promising playoff season could suddenly become a much more complicated race.
Leave a Reply