Chicago Cubs: Slow second half start has team looking for a spark

Chicago Cubs: Casualties of the disabled list

The Cubs have finally been hit by the injury bug after relatively injury free season in 2016 and 2017.  Kris Bryant,  Bradon Morrow and the aforementioned Yu Darvish are just the latest to fall to injury.

Drew Smyly began the season on the DL recovering from Tommy John surgery. Both Carl Edwards, Jr. and Eddie Butler (now with the Rangers) spent time on the DL and Brian Duensing and Anthony Bass are currently out of action, as well.

Looking ahead

The Cubs lead the NL Central with the best record in the National League.  They play most of their remaining games at home and are currently playing the NL-worst San Diego Padres and then AL bottom dwelling Kansas City Royals.  The return of Kris Bryant, Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow will bolster the roster and give Joe Maddon better options in the lineup and out of the bullpen.

A spark is needed.  That spark could be the return of those three or it could be the performance of Hamels, Kintzler and, Chavez.  It could come from one of the established players such as Javier Baez and Willson Contreras who are having career-best seasons. Or maybe from one of the younger players like David Bote.

It’ll be a fun rest of the season watching these Cubs put it all together at the end.