Cubs News: 2027 MLB Little League Classic, Ian Happ's grand slam, Carson Kelly

There's much about the 2027 season that remains in question, considering the pending work stoppage on December 1, but Major League Baseball is moving forward with scheduling events for next season as if the schedule won't be interrupted. The Chicago Cubs have already been announced to be hosting the 2027 All-Star game at Wrigley Field, and they will now be taking part in the Little League Classic.

Coinciding with the Little League World Series, Major League Baseball over the past several years has coordinated the Little League Classic to be played in Williamsport in August. Next season, the game will see the Cubs take on the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Cubs previously played in the Little League Classic in 2019, playing the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs cruised to a 7-1 victory against the Pirates.

For this specific moment, we can just appreciate how cool it is for the Cubs to be involved in such an event. Pete Crow-Armstrong is certainly going to be the topic of conversation. That said, the game should be viewed with an asterisk next to it. Until there's clarity on MLB's next CBA, it's hard to count on things like the All-Star game or Little League Classic happening without any alterations.

Ian Happ's grand slam continues impressive climb through Cubs history

Ian Happ's grand slam against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday opened the floodgates for the Cubs' offense en route to a 19-2 victory over Seattle. In what could be his final season with the Cubs, it's been a reminder that Happ has quietly climbed up certain mile markers for the Cubs' organization.

In fact, his home run on Sunday was his 63rd go-ahead home run for the Cubs over the course of his career, placing him among the top 10 in go-ahead home runs throughout the history of the franchise.

Happ certainly has his warts, but this is another reminder that he's not the player that his critics believe him to be. If this indeed the final stretch of Happ with the Cubs, it's certainly been a memorable one.

Carson Kelly's value to the Cubs is undeniable, but his slump can't be ignored

Placing a value on catchers can be difficult, considering for most teams, the value is defined by things that aren't exactly measured. There isn't a metric for a how catcher works with a pitching staff. It's why, even if it's not seen directly, there's an understanding that Carson Kelly has been one of the better catchers in baseball.

He's certainly had a stretches where that's been the case, but his numbers have come back down to earth. On the season, he boasts a 103 wRC+ with a slash line of .261/.341/.369. The larger problem is things have crated since July 1, with Kelly having a wRC+ of 75 with a slash line of .227/.292/.327.

Since July 1, Kelly has an fWAR of 0.0. For reference, that lands him at No. 59 among catchers in baseball with playing time since then. Again, that's not the end-all, be-all for catchers. But it does suggest that perhaps Kelly hasn't been as greatly lately, as he was at the start of the season.

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