The Chicago Cubs entered May 2026 with a 13-16 record, a tally that highlighted the team’s inconsistent start to the season.
A team-wide 4.42 ERA underscored the difficulty of finding stability on the mound, yet the month was not without its luminaries.
Emerging Pitching Talents
Ethan Roberts, standing at 5-foot-10, turned heads with a 2.03 ERA over 13.1 innings, accompanied by a career-high 64.7% ground-ball rate that signaled a new approach.
Right-hander Jacob Webb posted a 0.64 ERA in 14 frames, fanning 19 batters while walking only three, and his changeup proved almost unhittable, limiting opponents to a .167 slugging percentage.
Perhaps the most encouraging story was Ben Brown, who emerged as the rotation’s ace with a 1.86 ERA across 29 innings. Brown’s freshly minted sinker, coupled with a more aggressive changeup, yielded a .111 batting average against the pitch.
Despite these bright spots, the Cubs’ pitching staff has been plagued by injuries, forcing younger arms into high-leverage situations and testing the depth of the bullpen.
Looking Ahead
If the club can keep its starters healthy and continue to refine pitch sequencing, the early returns suggest that the rotation could become a cornerstone for a turnaround later in the season.