AP Photo/Noah K. Murray

The Rundown: Cubs Manhandle Mets, No Stopping PCA, Hartshorn Makes Top 100 List, ABS Aiding Lefty Batters

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJune 24, 2026

“Crying’s not for me, ’cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complaining…” — Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head by B.J. Thomas

The Cubs beat the Mets 9-6 yesterday as the red-hot Pete Crow-Armstrong continued to channel Willie Mays at the plate and in the field, but good news in these parts never comes without a bit of bad news on the side. Edward Cabrera was carted off the field after an awkward play at first base in yesterday’s tilt, and it looks like Justin Steele is going to be handled with kid gloves when/if he returns this season. The Cubs are hopeful to get “short bursts” from Steele, but considering how his recovery has gone, it might be prudent to count on the staff ace next season. Or whenever baseball resumes after this winter’s expected work stoppage.

Chicago’s pitching injuries are the shit sandwich to every feel-good moment the team has generated in 2026. The news would be farcical if it weren’t so damn pitiful. The ramifications are just as unsightly, especially when considering this year’s trade deadline. No magic exists that can get the Cubs’ current rotation from October 1 to the World Series, and rentals should not be an option. Better to circle the wagons for the remainder of 2026 and regroup for the next postseason window after replacing Matthew Boyd, Shōta Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon.

Jed Hoyer also needs to find some corner outfield power to replace Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Beating the Mets was nice and it’s great to see Dansby Swanson rediscovering his stroke. That said, Chicago’s current window of contention is closing with a roster and coaching staff overhaul on the horizon. I’m not suggesting the Cubs relieve Craig Counsell, but the pitching infrastructure needs better oversight. The hitting coaches should be very uncomfortable in their seats this winter, too.

By no means should the Cubs give up, but adding short-term assets to this roster at the expense of prospects would be awfully shortsighted. Usurping the Brewers seems like pure folly at this point, while the Cardinals and Pirates are just entering their own competitive periods. The Reds aren’t far behind. Hoyer’s navigation ahead of the next baseball season will determine if the Cubs can keep their window open beyond this year.

Cubs News & Notes

  • Steele took to the mound for the first time since his most recent setback.
  • Crow-Armstrong is on an unprecedented tear thanks to a change in bat position and a bigger stride.
  • The stellar centerfielder has hit five home runs in his last six games and has 11 in June. Oh, they’ve stopped calling him ‘PC Triple-A’ here in Milwaukee.
  • On Monday, Crow-Armstrong was named NL Player of the Week, his second such honor this season.
  • Boyd will return from the IL and start Thursday’s game against the Mets.
  • Hot outfield prospect Josiah Hartshorn is a recent addition to the MLB Pipeline Top 100 list. The switch-hitting Hartshorn entered play on Tuesday batting .302/.421/.559 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 63 games split between Class A affiliates in Myrtle Beach and South Bend.
  • The organization will unveil its Champion’s Gate at Gallagher Way on July 18.

Ball Four

Umpires called PCA out after he advanced to second on the walk, but then got tagged out for being off the bag. Pure silliness, but that’s one way to stop baseball’s current best player. The umpires ejected Counsell for arguing the call.

Central Intelligence

How About That!

The Automated Balls-Strike system has helped propel the game’s left-handed hitting resurgence.

The Twins front office is not planning to trade outfielder Byron Buxton. Likewise, the Giants are not trading Logan Webb.

Sonny Gray is the best starter available until the Tigers commit to moving Tarik Skubal. Call me crazy, but I see Gray going to the White Sox.

Yankees players have taken a liking to lollipops while playing the field. Manager Aaron Boone wants his players to think safety first.

The Mets are expected to activate shortstop Francisco Lindor today.

Three from the Bill Chuck Files

  1. Kyle Tucker is hitting .234 as of Monday with six homers this season for the Dodgers. Of even greater concern is that since July 1, Tucker has played 139 games (starting 138) and has hit .230 with an OPS of .700. He has 11 homers, and is hitting .224 against righties. You have to wonder if the Cubs broke him or dodged a bullet.
  2. On Saturday, Ozzie Albies became the first Braves player with multiple home runs in a game, including a walk-off homer, since Justin Upton on April 6, 2013. About that game: Justin homered off Cubs’ starter Carlos Villanueva, and then again in the 9th off closer Carlos Marmol. The Braves were trailing 5-4 going into their last at-bat when B.J. Upton, Justin’s brother, homered to tie it up, and then Marmol allowed the game-winner to Justin. 
  3. Since last year’s All-Star break, Kyle Schwarber leads the majors with 54 homers (in 139 games). Colson Montgomery of the White Sox is second with 41 homers in the 133 games he’s played.

Apropos of Nothing

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Extra Innings

Dare I say, en fuego?

They Said It

  • “We’re in a rough spot. I think we can get through it. It’s to the All-Star break, but it’s gonna be a little bit of a puzzle until then.” — Counsell
  • “We’ve had a lot of injuries, and we’ve had to have guys step up. Yes, external rotation additions are a possibility, not as much now as they are later. But that part of our team struggling, honestly, is kind of logical given what we’re missing. There are some guys that have stepped up, but we’re going to need more of that. Even if the offense starts clicking, we’re going to need more consistency out of that group.” – Hoyer
  • “What we really want is positive news that [Steele’s] healthy and that he can work his way back. That’s kind of where we are. Whether or not he can help us at the end of the season I think is unclear. I think it’s probably unrealistic to think he’s gonna be fully stretched out at any point, so if he does help us, I think it’s gonna be in shorter bursts.” – Hoyer
  • “Finding a guy that can really hit from both sides [like Hartshorn] is really hard. So many switch-hitters are small middle infielders, that’s kind of the profile. To have a guy who controls the zone from both sides, who can hit for power from both sides, that was really what turned us on to him. As we were talking about draft strategy, the ability to save some money at the top of the draft and invest it later on, that was something that emerged as we talked through it, and Hartshorn was always the focal point of that. That wasn’t a situation where we had money left over in the sixth round [and figured], ‘Let’s use it.’ That was the guy we targeted.” – Hoyer

Wednesday Walk-Up Song

Give Counsell credit for never giving up, or for gracefully going down with the ship.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJune 24, 2026
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