Cubs Roundup, Sept 14: Bullpen Fixes, Lead Squandering, Farm Report

[North Side Baseball]

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis and history from around the internet. Focuses on Kepley's Minor League impact, wind's effect on Wrigley, Cabrera's playoff potential, September 14 Cubs history, Palencia's bullpen struggles, and the Pirates-Cubs game controversy.

• Cubs No. 5 prospect has been the ultimate table-setter across the Minors in 2026 (MLB.com). Argues Kepley, the Cubs’ No. 5 prospect, has been a standout table-setter in the Minors with 120 free passes, 70 stolen bases, and 127 runs scored in 2026. His 89.6% stolen base rate and .435 OBP in High-A highlight his elite speed and on-base skills.
• Wind blowing in at Wrigley Field cost the Chicago Cubs some runs — just when they need them most (Chicago Tribune $$$). Argues wind at Wrigley Field cost Cubs crucial runs in a 4-3 loss to the Pirates, with two fly balls hit by Pete Crow-Armstrong being caught by Oneil Cruz due to 10 mph gusts. Notes Daniel Palencia’s strong outing, including a strikeout of Bryan Reynolds, as a sign of his return to form after injury.
• Can Edward Cabrera shore up the Cubs’ bullpen and become the Roki Sasaki of 2026 playoffs? (The Athletic $$$). Argues Cubs manager Craig Counsell sees Edward Cabrera as a potential Roki Sasaki-type playoff performer, citing Sasaki’s late-season surge and playoff success as a blueprint, despite Cabrera’s struggles and injury history.
• Chicago Cubs history unpacked — September 14 (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Revisits Chicago Cubs history on September 14, highlighting Carlos Zambrano’s 2008 no-hitter at Milwaukee’s neutral site, the first in MLB history, and other events like Tinker, Evers, and Chance’s double play, and the Cubs’ 18-14 win over the Dodgers in 1935.
• Cubs have troubling Daniel Palencia red flag that makes bullpen turnaround harder to trust (Cubbies Crib). Argues Cubs' Daniel Palencia, once a reliable reliever with a 2.91 ERA, has regressed to a 4.70 ERA with poor strikeout rates and swing-and-miss, raising doubts about his October reliability. His recent struggles, including just two strikeouts in September, threaten the bullpen's depth.
• Pirates 4, Cubs 3: Matthew Boyd deserved better (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Argues Matthew Boyd was unfairly charged with a loss after Cubs reliever Aaron Civale let inherited runners score in the sixth, costing the Cubs a 3-2 lead. Key evidence: Boyd held the Pirates scoreless for four innings, but Civale allowed two runs in the sixth, leading to the loss.

[Brock Beauchamp]

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