AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The Rundown: Cubs Take First Place as Home Streak Grows, Reds Limping Into Wrigley, Skubal Hurt

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterMay 4, 2026

“Sometimes you can’t see that all you need is one thing. If it’s right, you could sleep at night, but it can take some time.” – You Can’t Get What You Want by Joe Jackson

Jed Hoyer finally has his dream team, and they’ve vaulted into first place on the strength of a 11 straight home wins with a little help from the Pirates, who swept the Reds this weekend. Hoyer has always wanted to build a team that wins despite Wrigley Field’s unique environment, and the 2026 Cubs have proven to be impervious to the bipolar changes in their home ballpark. Chicago is 14-5 at the Friendly Confines, and has out-pitched, out-hit, and out-defended its opponents through the first month and change of the season.

Nobody epitomizes the strengths of this team more than Nico Hoerner. The second baseman with the newly minted contract extension is still playing at a 10.7 bWAR pace, matching perennial WAR studs Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. Hoerner carried the team offensively during the first few weeks of the season, but it is his glovework that really stands out recently. The Cubs have outscored their opponents 101-66 at home, and defense has played a big part.

Chicago’s offense should have a pretty explosive week against the likes of Chase Petty, Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, and Rhett Lowder. Petty was recalled for tonight’s game, his first in MLB since being lit up last season to the tune of a 19.50 ERA in three appearances (two starts). Abbott, Singer, and Lowder have allowed 63 earned runs in 102.3 innings. Moisés Ballesteros is nicely positioned to have a pretty spectacular series facing those pitchers.

Chicago’s pitchers deserve some credit too, none more than Shōta Imanaga and Ben Brown, a pair that entered this season as question marks. The rest of the staff sits somewhere between underrated and unlucky as indicated by expected ERA, so a weak Cincinnati offense bodes well for Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, and Colin Rea. Imanaga takes the bump on Thursday to close out the series and the homestand. The Reds are scoring about 1.3 fewer run per game than the Cubs.

The second leg of the current homestand could help widen the gap in baseball’s strongest division. The Cubs will try to extend their two-game lead and their current winning streak to nine games by sweeping the Reds, while the Brewers and Cardinals battle in St. Louis.

Cubs News & Notes

Ball Four

Prince Fielder was one player I always rooted for, even when he played for the Brewers. He probably would have hit 500 homers if he could have stayed healthy.

Central Intelligence

Infield Fly Rule

The Cubs have an 82.8% chance of making the playoffs, according to the most recent calculations by FanGraphs. They’re followed by the Pirates (60.1), Brewers (41.4), Reds (27.1), and Cardinals (26.2).

How About That!

Tigers’ ace and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will have surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. The procedure usually sidelines pitchers for 2-3 months.

The Braves sit atop this week’s power rankings, something Atlanta hasn’t done in three seasons. The Cubs are 4th for the second week in a row.

Atlanta placed Ronald Acuña Jr. on the IL with a hamstring strain.

Twins ace Joe Ryan left Sunday’s start with elbow soreness after facing just two batters.

Ohtani is hitless in his last four games for the first time in four years.

The Mets have added ex-Cub Vidal Bruján to their roster, replacing Eric Wagaman, who was DFA’d.

The Blue Jays are baseball’s only team that lacks a Star Wars promotion on May the 4th.

John Sterling, the beloved longtime radio voice for the Yankees, passed away yesterday. He was 87 years old.

Apropos of Nothing

Golden Tempo was dead last going into the final turn and then outkicked every other horse to win the Kentucky Derby. What an insane finish. I’ve got you covered if you’re wondering if I dressed for the occasion.

Three from the Bill Chuck Files

  1. Ernie Banks had the fewest career walks (763) of any member of MLB’s 500-homer club.
  2. Going into play on Sunday, the Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Giants had lost a cumulative 19 consecutive games. Los Angeles and San Diego stopped the madness with Sunday wins over the Cardinals and White Sox.
  3. There are two players in Cleveland history who have 250 or more homers and 600+ career walks: José Ramirez and Jim Thome. Ramirez also has 300 career stolen bases and is nine taters shy of joining the 300/300 club.

Extra Innings

Alcántara reminds me of Kris Bryant before all the injuries.

They Said It

  • “[Nico’s] a really talented player, and he does so many things on the field to help you win. But on top of that, he’s an A-plus human with A-plus competitiveness. You get the talent, which I think everyone sees, but also he is just the kind of person you want on your team and in an organization.” – Hoyer
  • “I think when [Hoerner’s] at his best, he’s trying to do the damage. I think you’re seeing that more and more.” – Hoyer
  • “He is the Cubs. He is our f**king heartbeat.” – Crow-Armstrong

Monday Walk-Up Song

I thought the Michael Jackson movie was worth the price of admission. I saw it last night, and as far as biopics go, it’s similar to Bohemian Rhapsody in that it is a completely chronological piece, in this case from 1966 to 1988. Plus, Mike Myers has a small role in the Jackson film as — you guessed it — a record executive.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterMay 4, 2026
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