2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 23

The Cubs do not look like world beaters. I’m not sure what to expect at any given time out of their bullpen. This has been very opportunistic. They are 8-1 over their last nine and have scored 65 runs in those nine games — more than seven runs per game. I do not believe this is the best baseball this team will play this year. Also, they are doing what they need to do and winning. They are taking what the other team is giving them and they’ve allowed the Mets and Phillies help them win seven games.

Good teams take advantage of sloppy play by the other team. Also, the Cubs are getting contributions from up and down the roster. A lot of people have chipped in and it has covered for some slow starts. But little by little, some signs of life are showing from the slow starters. Seiya Suzuki absolutely demolished a baseball in this one. Alex Bregman had a single and two walks. It doesn’t look all of the way there, but there is progress. Michael Busch had a two-run single off of a lefty and drew a walk. Pete Crow-Armstrong had two hits, including a beautiful bunt single.

It’s all coming together. Bit by bit.

Three Positives:

• Shōta Imanaga. First Cub to get through seven. He’s been striking a ton of batters out this season, but not in this one. He struck out one, but was efficient. The Cubs only used three relievers in this one, as compared to five for the Phillies (despite one fewer inning pitched). The Phillies are probably going to be forced to throw someone longer than they are comfortable before this series ends. Meanwhile the Cubs have had their starter throw into the seventh on consecutive nights.
• Seiya Suzuki had a pair of hits, one a two-run homer.
• Nico Hoerner had a pair of hits and was hit by a pitch. One of the hits was his fourth homer, reaching that mark about three months earlier than last year. I’m very interested to see if this is a bit of a fluke or if he goes on to hit 15-20 homers. I very clearly remember the first half of Ryne Sandberg’s career when he had a line drive swing but just got a little carry from time to time to pile up some numbers. I would never comp anyone off of Sandberg, just recalling that you do not need to be a hulk over have an exaggerated uppercut to generate power.

I’m enjoying every second of this streak even while recognizing it for what it is. The team is now on pace for 98.6 wins.

Game 23, April 21: Cubs 7, Phillies 4 (14-9)

Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.

THREE HEROES:

• **Superhero:**Shōta Imanaga (.235). 7 IP, 26 BF, 3 H, BB, ER, K (W 1-1)
• Hero: Ian Happ (.165). 1-4, 2 BB, 2 R
• Sidekick: Moisés Ballesteros (.143). 0-0, BB, RBI

THREE GOATS:

• Billy Goat:Jacob Webb (-.063). 0.1 IP, 4 BF, 2 H, 1 R (o ER)
• Goat: Alex Bregman (-.055). 1-4, 2 BB, R
• Kid: Scott Kingery (-.033). 1-2

WPA Play of the Game: Michael Busch batted with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, the game tied. He lofted a pop fly into no mans land between the infield and center field. It fell for a two-run single. (.249)

*Phillies Play of the Game: Kyle Schwarber homered with one out in the sixth to tie the game at one. (.169)

Cubs Player of the Game:

Game 22 Winner: Colin Rea received 146 out of 225 votes.

Rizzo Award Standings:(Top 3/Bottom 3)

The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.

• Nico Hoerner +10.5
• Michael Conforto/Shōta Imanaga +7
• Seiya Suzuki/Jacob Webb -8
• Pete Crow-Armstrong -15

Up Next: How about win one for Andre? The all-time great Cub wore No. 8 for his six years on the North Side. The Cubs last won eight straight in 2023. Further, though, they won 83 games that year. So long winning streaks don’t necessarily correlate with great seasons. Fun with early season numbers: The Pirates lost Tuesday. They are 13-10 and in last place despite being on a 91.6 win pace.

Matthew Boyd (1-1, 6.75, 9.1 IP) makes his third start of the season as he comes off of the injured list. His last major league start was April 1. He did make one rehab start for Iowa. Don’t look at the numbers. He was making sure he was ready to go. It doesn’t feel like he’s likely to get too deep into this one. That’s why Imanaga’s efficient start was so important.

The Phillies will use 28-year-old lefty Kyle Backhus (0-0, 5.40, 6.2 IP) as an opener. Hard to imagine not putting Busch, Ballesteros and PCA all into the bottom of the order. You can slot Ballesteros there, knowing you’ll pinch hit for him later in the game to break up the clump of lefties. This spot was previously Taijuan Walker’s (1-3, 9.16, 18.2 IP). The Cubs can start with Hoerner/Bregman/Happ/Suzuki/Swanson. How long are you going to let Backhus try to pitch? His longest outing was 1.2 IP and 41 pitches. Against the Cubs. Swanson already took him deep in that one. Dansby’s had strong performances in the early going at the plate.

Keep rolling!