5 things Cubs must change immediately to avoid NL Wild Card collapse

Things aren't dire for the Chicago Cubs after being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers this week, they still have over a 96% chance of reaching the playoffs, but there's been enough to go wrong over the last two weeks to suggest that the door to a September collapse hasn't been entirely closed.

The Philadelphia Phillies currently are the top Wild Card team in the National League, followed by the Cubs. After the Cubs dropped six of their last ten games, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are suddenly within shouting distance of the them.

Here's everything that must change if the Cubs are going to avoid a NL Wild Card collapse

If the Cubs are going to avoid a collapse, things will need to change, and change fast. It should start this weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Option BJ Murray Jr. to Triple-A Iowa

When BJ Murray Jr. was among the first wave of September call-ups, there wasn't much issue with his arrival. The expectation was that he wasn't going to play much, and if anything, it's exposure to the big-league lifestyle. As it turns out, Murray has inadvertently found himself in moments of consequence, and it hasn't worked. Over the next two weeks, the Cubs need to have the best players on their roster, and right now, Murray isn't one of them.

Designate Caleb Thielbar for assignment

This change is long overdue. Assuming Edward Cabrera, Justin Steele, and Shelby Miller are reinstated from the IL within the next week or two, there's no scenario where Caleb Thielbar should remain with the team. Even with Thielbar striking out over 29% of the hitters he's faced this season, he sports an ERA of 4.89 while averaging over two home runs per nine innings pitched. That's not a formula of success in October.

The return of Dansby Swanson

For all his warts offensively, Dansby Swanson is one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball. As was clear last October, Swanson's defense is capable of winning games for the Cubs in the playoffs. That is why his return his important. The Cubs are a far better team with Swanson as their starting shortstop.

Keep Ian Happ on the bench

Ian Happ only has seven hits in his last 40 plate appearances with no extra-base hits. It's been a dreadful end to the 2026 season for Happ, and one that likely signals the end of his time with the Cubs. The time has passed to give Happ the benefit of the doubt. For now, the best path forward is Tyrone Taylor in left field against left-handed pitchers, and some rotation of Pedro Ramirez or Michael Conforto against righties. Of course, there are obvious defensive limitations for Ramirez and Conforto, and that can be countered with Happ has a defensive replacement late in games.

Immediately use Shelby Miller as a closer

There's no simple fix to what has plagued the Cubs' bullpen this month. It's reached the point where Craig Counsell should step out of his comfort zone, and that means immediately inserting Shelby Miller as the team's closer, assuming he returns before the end of the regular season. He thrived as a closer for Arizona last season, and during his rehab assignment, he's been missing bats frequently with a fastball in the upper-90s. No need to wait and see with Miller's return, make him the closer.

Add us as a preferred source on Google