Ian Happ flipping the script on his struggles with huge August, but questions remain

One of Ian Happ's biggest downfalls this season has been his prolonged struggles against left-handed pitching. In 133 plate appearances, he's slashing a dismal .158/.235/.292, forcing the Chicago Cubs to go out and acquire veteran outfielder Tyrone Taylor at the trade deadline earlier this month.

That acquisition pushed Happ into more of a platoon role where he can largely be shielded from tough lefties and, wouldn't you know it? His numbers have rebounded in a big way.

Happ is putting up his best numbers in months and, since Aug. 4, he owns a vastly improved .250/.329/.515 line and 134 wRC+ that includes five home runs three doubles and 13 RBI in just 20 games entering Wednesday. Getting big at-bats from their Gold Glove left fielder has been huge for the Cubs as they look to lock up a playoff spot in the National League.

On the year, his overall numbers are ever-so-slowly drifting closer to his career marks. He entered the finale against the Diamondbacks with a 111 wRC+, just off the pace of his 116 wRC+career average. Time will tell if a late-season surge will be cause for the Cubs' front office to explore another extension in the offseason, but the arrival of Taylor, as hard as it must have been for Happ, seems to have pushed his season back on track.

Arrival of Tyrone Taylor helps the Cubs get the best version of Ian Happ

Taylor, meanwhile, has been able to spell Happ against lefties at times and he's put up big numbers, walking nearly a quarter of the time and slashing .300/.462/.300 against southpaws in an admittedly small sample size. Big-picture, since coming over to Chicago with Clay Holmes at the deadline, he's been rock-solid (.321/.412/.393) - giving manager Craig Counsell added flexibility as the team awaits the return of Matt Shaw.

The Cubs are at their best when Happ is producing and, right now, albeit with some conditions attached, he's doing just that. I'm sure he (and everyone else involved) would prefer the switch hitter be an everyday player, but his willingness to put the team first while also making the most of his opportunities have Chicago set up for a strong close to the 2026 regular season.

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