Two Big Reasons For Cubs Fans To Stay Optimistic For 2026
It is easy to focus on the negatives of the Chicago Cubs' season, especially after the bitter taste of losing a game five in the playoffs, pointing the finger at every mistake that led to going home instead of playing for the National League Pennant.
However, it's important to remember that the team had a great season even though it didn't end where they wanted it to.
The Cubs made the playoffs after missing the previous four. This was also their first trip to the NL Divisional Series round since '17 and their first 90+ win season since '18. Good things happened this year that the team can build on for 2026, hopefully avoiding the same spot when October rolls back around.
Young Talent All Over the Place
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Cade Horton easily takes the cake for the up-and-coming talent that is on this Cubs' roster. It was so disheartening that he didn't get to take the mound in these playoffs after his breakout rookie season, but he will be back next year.
The way he improved throughout the year is something to truly get excited about. Horton finished the season 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA and nearly 100 strikeouts.
Even though Pete Crow-Armstrong had been ridiculed lately, it is crucial to remember a couple of things. 1) PCA is only 23 years old, and this was only his second full year in the majors. 2) He had 35 stolen bases (by far the most on the team), complemented by 31 homers and 95 RBI. 3) PCA is a deadly defender.
Crow-Armstrong and Horton aren't the only young guns on this team, however. There is also Matt Shaw. This was Shaw's rookie season as well at 23 years old. He was a nightmare for opposing bats with his ability to make plays at third base, and even though he started slow swinging a bat, he found his groove towards the end of the season with a .429 slugging percentage in his last 30 games.
Owen Caissie might not have finished the year on the roster, but everyone remembers him. He made his debut this year as well as the best guy in the Cubs' farming system. Even though he didn't last long with the Cubs before being sent back to Triple-A, he showed signs of brilliance. A stacked outfield has kept him down in the minors for far too long, and surely his time is coming.
A Very Strong Bullpen
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Craig Counsell called his relievers "out getters" because that is what they did. Four pitchers were used in more than 50 games this season, who all had an ERA under 3.00 — Brad Keller, Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, and Caleb Theilbar.
These four came through in a big way for the Cubs in the playoffs. Thielbar didn't allow a single run in five games, with only two hits and five strikeouts by the end of it. And Pomeranz and Keller both had a 1.5 ERA in over 11 combined innings with 11 strikeouts.
It is easy to focus on the negative when things didn't turn out as the organization had hoped, but there were many positive developments this year. They easily had plenty of time where they looked like they could potentially make it to the World Series. Heck, the team stretched the NLDS to a five-game series without an ace in the starting rotation.
This team could look similar next season and, with a few tweaks, could be playing late in October.
Denver Broncos Defense on Historic Pace After Record Setting Start
The Denver Broncos
The Broncos
As The Denver Gazette noted
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto couldn’t help but laugh when he learned the stat:
“I was shocked when they told us after the game,” Bonitto said. “That’s pretty funny.”
Bonitto leads the entire
Cornerback Pat Surtain II, last season’s DPOY, thinks Bonitto could be next in line.
“It was honestly pretty crazy,” Surtain said. “It was like I was sitting back watching, being a fan of it. We’re covering for maybe one or two seconds, I look up, there’s a sack. It’s a pleasure to watch and a pleasure to be part of.”
Historic Numbers Through Week 6
Through six weeks, Denver leads the NFL with 30 total sacks, 10 more than any other team.
They rank second in total defense (254.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (15.8 points per game). Only the
The turnaround has been remarkable.
After giving up 473 yards in a Week 2 loss to Indianapolis, the Broncos’ defense has completely locked in. In their last three wins over the
Nose tackle D.J. Jones said the group has found its rhythm:
“We’ve been in that groove, just a relentless groove. It’s special to be a part of it.”
Denver’s Depth and Dominance
Despite missing key contributors like linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad injury) and still easing Malcolm Roach back into action after a calf issue, the Broncos have emerged as perhaps the league’s most feared defensive unit.
Roach made his season debut on Sunday in London but only logged 25 of 57 defensive snaps.
Even without Greenlaw and Roach for most of the first six weeks of the season, the
“They’ve been playing their butts off week in and week out,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said about the defense.
“It’s been special to watch, and I’m just grateful to be on a team with guys playing at that level. They’re out there with the mindset that nobody can stop them. The sky’s the limit for those guys.”
As dominant as Denver’s defense has been, it could get even scarier once the unit is back to full strength.
The Broncos will host the Giants next before a Week 9 clash with Houston, a game that could turn into a battle between two of the NFL’s top defenses.
