The Chicago Cubs had a week that felt like a rollercoaster ride—thrilling highs followed by a sudden, frustrating dip. For the first five games, they looked unstoppable, extending their second 10-game winning streak of the season and pushing their home winning streak at Wrigley Field to an impressive 15 games. With an 18-5 record at home in 2026, the Cubs were the hottest team in baseball. But then came Saturday, and the bats went silent. Over the final two games of the week, the Cubs failed to score a single run.
Despite that bump in the road, it was still a successful stretch overall. Let's take a closer look at who shined and who struggled for the Cubs this past week.
Michael Conforto: Red-Hot at the Plate
After serving as a fill-in for Seiya Suzuki during the first 12 games of the season, Conforto saw limited action. But when manager Craig Counsell gave him starts against the Reds and Rangers, Conforto made the most of it. He batted an incredible .500/.588/1.143, going 7-for-14 with three doubles and two home runs. One of those homers was a walk-off winner against the Reds last Monday—a moment that had Wrigley Field rocking.
Michael Busch: Finding His Stride
Busch had a rough start to the year, but lately, he's looking like the same player who smashed 34 home runs for the Cubs last season. Over the week, he hit .348/.500/.500, going 8-for-23 with a double, a home run, six RBIs, and seven walks. Since bottoming out with a .377 OPS on April 11, Busch has been on fire. In the 26 games since, he's batting .302/.414/.479 with six doubles, a triple, three homers, 17 walks, and 21 RBIs—a huge reason the Cubs have gone 21-5 in that span. He also added his own walk-off homer against the Reds last week.
Shōta Imanaga: Back to Form
Imanaga is flashing the All-Star form that earned him a fifth-place finish in Cy Young voting in 2024. It's becoming clear that a hamstring injury hampered him last season, but now fully healthy, he's dominant. His strikeout rate sits at 28.3 percent, while his walk rate is a tidy 7.0 percent. More impressively, he ranks seventh in MLB with a 32.8 percent whiff rate—especially notable since he doesn't throw 95+ mph like most pitchers ahead of him. His 10-strikeout performance against the Reds last Thursday was a masterclass in pitching.
Honorable Mention: Ben Brown
Brown deserves a nod for tossing four no-hit innings against the Rangers, keeping the Cubs in the game during a tough stretch.
While the weekend stumble was disappointing, the Cubs showed they have the firepower to compete with anyone. If Conforto, Busch, and Imanaga keep rolling, this team could be dangerous as the season heats up.