Outlook Michael Busch
Michael Busch swings a hot bat as the Cubs hold strong in the NL Central
Busch has been swinging a hot bat over the past couple of weeks, slashing .333/.364/.548 with two home runs and six runs batted in over his last 14 games. The Cubs currently sit in second place in the NL Central with a 57-45 record, and Busch continues to anchor first base as the everyday starter despite a laundry list of injuries hitting the pitching staff.
This recent surge aligns closely with his career track record and our season projection of 15 home runs, showing that his power output is sustainable. While his batting average has dipped slightly below his previous high-water marks, his solid slugging profile and steady run production make his current performance a reliable baseline rather than a fluke.
The Cubs face a busy week featuring six games total, opening with a home series before hitting the road to take on the Pirates. Busch will miss out on facing Paul Skenes while dealing with more favorable matchups against pitchers like Jared Jones and Braxton Ashcraft, both carrying ERAs around 4.00 and vulnerable WHIPs. Start.
Updated 3 days ago
Latest News Michael Busch
Outlook Jacob Gonzalez
Jacob Gonzalez swinging a hot bat as he settles into a regular role with Pittsburgh
Gonzalez has posted a strong .313 batting average with two home runs and five runs batted in over his last seven days. The Pirates currently sit in third place in the NL Central with a 53-50 record. He remains an active part of the roster as the team navigates various minor injuries across the depth chart.
His recent hot stretch builds nicely on a 2026 campaign where he has collected four home runs and 22 runs batted in across 37 games. While his career slash line sits at .252, this power surge showcases the upside that earned him regular playing time.
The Pirates face a busy seven-game schedule this week, wrapping up their series against the Yankees before returning home to host the Cubs. Matchups feature right-handers like Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon, who carry varying ratios. Start.
Updated 3 days ago
