Ian Happ has gotten scorching hot at the perfect time for the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs entered September set up to make the playoffs by a wide margin. Despite that, the team continues to look deeply flawed, in dire need of some of its best players to step up. Until recently, you could have counted Ian Happ among those who needed to step up. However, he understood the assignment and got hot at precisely the right time.

Happ has, in fact, gotten scorching hot. One could even say he's blazing hot in the last week. He's undoubtedly the hottest hitter on the Cubs. Which is a big win for Chicago, considering the offense continues to be somewhat up and down, despite a schedule that should allow Craig Counsell and Co. to go on a run.

Ian Happ carrying the Chicago Cubs during blazing hot streak

Over the last five games, Happ (who has taken some heat for his struggles for far too much of the season) is among the hottest hitters in baseball, slashing .476/.522/1.048 with three home runs and eight runs batted in.

The left fielder has really been doing it all, as six of his 10 hits have been for extra bases; he's also walked twice and even stolen a base. He's also corrected the one thing that's been an odd problem for him for most of 2025. While he's swung through a few too many pitches this summer, he's only struck out four times in his last 23 plate appearances.

The question, as always, is just how long can Happ continue to be the hottest hitter on the team? Have things clicked for him, or is this just a short spate of solid hitting?

Whatever the answers to those questions are, the Chicago Cubs will take it while it lasts. While it's near impossible for them to fall out of a playoff spot, the Brewers have slowed down enough that the NL Central can be in question if everything goes right. Part of everything would be Happ and his mates to finally start hitting like they did in the spring.