Since May 14, the Chicago Cubs bullpen has emerged as the most dominant relief corps in Major League Baseball. Over their past 24 games, Cubs relievers have surrendered only eight earned runs across 87.2 innings, compiling an incredible league-leading 0.82 ERA during that span.
Although they stumbled in Wednesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies, much of the National League Central conversation continues to revolve around Chicago. At 41-27, the Cubs lead the division, with the St. Louis Cardinals trailing by five games.
This surge has coincided with a battered starting rotation, most notably missing ace Shota Imanaga due to a hamstring strain sustained in early May.
In Imanaga’s absence, pitchers like Cade Horton, Ben Brown, and Colin Rea have filled in, though each has struggled with ERAs above 5.00. Imanaga’s return—still in progress—remains a key storyline.
Heading into Wednesday’s game, the Cubs bullpen had been dominant, but Philadelphia broke out offensively with three quick runs on three hits off Brown. Chicago never recovered, ultimately falling 7-2.
The Cubs look to rebound Thursday as they kick off a four-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Shota Imanaga Nears Return with Rehab Start
Imanaga recently began his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League, striking out four in two innings while throwing 40 pitches, followed by a bullpen session. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, he’s slated for another outing in Arizona on Saturday. If that goes smoothly, a Triple-A appearance with Iowa could follow before he rejoins the big-league rotation.
Though Imanaga’s absence has been lengthy, the Cubs bullpen has held strong. Still, his return is the most significant development at Wrigley Field. The All-Star southpaw recorded a 2.82 ERA over his first eight starts, and his comeback could provide much-needed stability.
With Imanaga back, the front office will have more flexibility to evaluate potential moves ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
Cubs Eye Rotation Help as Deadline Approaches
Meanwhile, Chicago’s front office continues to assess options to bolster the rotation. If Imanaga returns to form, the Cubs could position themselves to pull away in the division during the second half.
Challenges remain—particularly with offensive inconsistencies and rotation depth—but the team is currently in a strong position. The bullpen’s dominance has thrown off rivals, and with reinforcements on the horizon, the Cubs may only get stronger.