These 4 Cubs are quietly turning their opportunities into success

It's been an odd second half of the 2025 season for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs remain one of the best teams in the National League, but their struggles in July and August have led many fans to believe the typical "second half collapse" that they know all too well had arrived for this year's team.

While there's no question that there has been a drop in play for the Cubs since the first half, it's more like the team has treaded water over the last two months instead of collapsing. The reasoning is mostly tied to the fact that the Cubs' offense has slumped as a collective unit. Still, the Cubs control their destiny in terms of reaching the postseason, and it's thanks to some players fans may not have expected.

6 Chicago Cubs who are taking advantage of their runway

Matt Shaw

It certainly has been a roller coaster rookie season for Matt Shaw. During the early weeks of the season, Shaw looked overwhelmed by Major League pitching and had a batting stance that was setting him up to fail. It took a return to Triple-A Iowa and some swing adjustments, but Shaw has quietly become a second-half savior for the Cubs. All while playing excellent defense at the hot corner.

Cade Horton

Shaw and Cade Horton being at the center of the Cubs' success is something the front office certainly has been counting on, but probably not as early as the 2025 season. Horton is sitting with an ERA under 1.50 over his last 8 starts, and it seems that the strikeout pitch appears to have been added to his arsenal. Over his last three starts, Horton has struck out over 31 percent of the hitters he faced.

Daniel Palencia

It's looked shaky at certain times, but for the most part, Daniel Palencia has been a defining success story of the Cubs' 2025 season. Armed with a fastball that tops out over 100 mph, Palencia has been an anchor at the back of the Cubs' bullpen. The fact that the Cubs sat out of the closer market at the trade deadline speaks to the faith they have in Palencia.

Colin Rea

Signed by the Cubs with the idea that he could be a swingman out of the bullpen, Colin Rea has been forced to stabilize the backend of the team's starting rotation. He hasn't shied away from the task, posting a 3.31 ERA since the calendar flipped to July. The Cubs didn't add the top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher at the deadline they were hoping for, but Rea's success has kept the rotation in a good spot.