As Season Winds Down, Are Chicago Cubs' Injuries and Roster Misfires Catching Up to Them?

If you count yourself among the millions who keeps their smart device firmly affixed to their person, awaiting any and all news pertaining to your Chicago Cubs, you've no doubt been trying harder to avert your eyes lately. Yes, the Cubs are set for their first meaningful postseason appearance since 2018, and just a week ago, the sentiment and vibes around this team were high. But mounting, crucial injuries to the most important players on the team have drastically shifted the perception of this ball club. How does this once-mighty team, which prides itself on its unity and resilience, survive the latest wave of injuries to its best players? By staying together. 

When it comes to setbacks for all 30 MLB teams, it's not the 'how many' that matters; it's the 'who' and the 'when'. For much of the 2025 campaign, Craig Counsell (and really, the whole organization) has worked around injuries and shifts in roster construction. It's been a revolving door of call-ups and send-downs, with names like Jon Berti, Gage Workman, Vidal Bruján, Ryan Pressly, and Nate Pearson churned through but cast aside as the team sought answers to its myriad questions.

With Justin Steele, Kyle Tucker and Miguel Amaya each either missing long stretches of the season or going through prolonged slumps, young players and scrap-heap scoop-ups have had to backfill. Every guy who has been tasked with stepping up has done so—some of them (like Moisés Ballesteros, Reese McGuire and, especially, Cade Horton) with great aplomb. Now, with some of the key first-half contributors slumping and Horton's health in at least some measure of doubt, none of that feels quite as true.

A week ago, everyone had a wonderful, Moet-flavored taste in their mouths, as the Cubs made good on the promise of a hotly-desired playoff berth, even in the face of each trying obstacle this clubhouse has been forced to reckon with. However, the injuries and regression seem to have caught up to this team at the absolute worst time. They've got who they've got, but if who they've got doesn't include a productive version of their best players, it's going to be a short October in Wrigleyville.

Even though Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I've always been more of a treat guy, not too interested in the tricks. Happily, just two wins in the final four games will do the trick when it comes to restoring the good vibes of this forthcoming playoff appearance—not least because that would assure that the Wild Card Series is played at Wrigley Field. This is painful right now, but, as some clubs prepare to pack up their locker for the winter, it's a good pain to have.