Chicago Cubs: Three Takeaways After Bittersweet Arizona Series

Swanson had another spectacular play in game 1, where he laid out to save a double play in the seventh inning to help preserve a four-run lead. 

The defense will continue to be a cornerstone of the 2025 Chicago Cubs, and it has already proven capable of securing a victory when Swanson bailed out the team's precarious bullpen.

Can the bullpen Settle Down?

We are only six games into the young season, and fans are already irate at the team's bullpen. The only reason Swanson's heroic play was needed in the first place is because closer Ryan Pressly loaded the bags after surrendering a two-run homer to Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez. 

It was a meltdown reminiscent of dozens of contests from the first half of 2024, when guys like Hector Neris and Jose Cuas routinely failed to deliver clean innings late in ballgames. While Swanson bailed Pressly, Eli Morgan and Celeb Thielbar did not have as much luck during Sunday's SNAFU. 

After the Cubs went up by a 6-2 score heading into the eighth inning, the Cubs' new relievers served up an eight-run frame to the Snakes and handed them a victory on a silver platter. While every team experiences bullpen issues, and the area of the roster is notoriously fickle, it's concerning that the Cubs are already showing signs of relief struggles this early in the season.

On the other hand, it is very early in the season and perhaps some pitchers are still dealing with the after effects of the Tokyo trip. The relief corps has plenty of time to settle in and bounce back from the Arizona Series. That said, the Cubs should keep a close eye on the reliever market and look to add at the trade deadline. 

Kyle Tucker is a Game Changer as Expected

The Cubs' newly acquired outfielder is already showing off his talents with the bat, launching two thunderous home runs against the Diamondbacks. 

This is why the Cubs sent such a hefty trade package to the Houston Astros for Tucker. He is a game-changing presence in the lineup who can win games. According to MLB's Sarah Langs, Tucker's long ball on Sunday gave the team a 97% chance to win. Unfortunately, Morgan's meltdown ten minutes later diminished the swing, but Tucker gave the team a great shot to win the game (and the series) nonetheless. 

Cubs fans should relish every time Tucker steps into the batter's box because 2025 is likely the only year he will don blue pinstripes. Unless ownership makes a dramatic change to the way they do business, like inking a contract north of $200 million or offering players deferred money, Tucker will almost certainly receive a better offer from a different team.