Cubs have a massive pitching problem that Shota Imanaga can't fix on his own

Cubs have a massive pitching problem that Shota Imanaga can't fix on his own originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The 2026 season for the Chicago Cubs has been an odd one. They went on multiple long winning streaks, but recently lost 10 in a row in a baffling slide down the standings.

>They've righted the ship, winning three of their last four games. But that losing streak should've set off alarm bells within the organization. While the offense was a big reason for the slide, there's another group that is largely to blame.

> As Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report highlighted, the Cubs have a massive pitching problem right now with their starting rotation. Shota Imanaga isn't good enough to fix it on his own, as the Cubs desperately need more help in the rotation this season.

Cubs have a huge starting pitching problem"But Cubs pitching? It had a combined bWAR of 0.5, which would've been dead last if not for the Giants at a slightly worse 0.2," Miller writes. "Shota Imanaga got out to a great start to the year, but he has come crashing back down to earth with 20 earned runs allowed in his last three starts."

>The Cubs very clearly need more starting pitching help this season. Imanaga's 4.37 ERA isn't terrible, but his recent struggles have made it clear that the Cubs need to find a way to upgrade the rotation to not put as much stress on him.

>But, with Matthew Boyd and Edward Cabrera both on the injured list, along with the season-ending injury to Cade Horton and Justin Steele's lengthy road to recovery, the Cubs' rotation need is becoming more than just a need; it's a real problem.

>Jameson Taillon isn't a solution with his 5.37 ERA. Colin Rea has a 4.70 ERA in 12 games and nine starts, and Jordan Wicks has a 16.62 ERA after his lone start this season.

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>Ben Brown has been the most welcome surprise for the Cubs, as he has a 1.92 ERA this season in 17 games and five starts, which included a seven-inning, one-run masterpiece against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 30.

>The Cubs desperately need more pitching help this season. Even if Boyd and Cabrera return, the Cubs need to explore the trade market for upgrades.

>Tarik Skubal would be incredible, even as a rental. Sandy Alcantara, Robbie Ray, Freddy Peralta, or one of the Kansas City Royals starters would be a big help for this team.

>But Imanaga isn't good enough to make this problem go away, and none of their other starters, Brown included, are pitchers Jed Hoyer should be confident enough in to not make a big move to try and fix this issue.

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