Cubs Face Starting Pitching Crisis After Loss to Cardinals

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Cubs Face Starting Pitching Crisis After Loss to Cardinals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated May 31, 2026 11:52 PM ET

It would be difficult for any team to deal with the Chicago Cubs' current predicament, and that showed on Sunday. The club lost 5-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, clinching a series win for the latter team.

Southpaw pitcher Jordan Wicks earned his second loss in as many appearances this season after giving up three runs on four hits over just two innings, and his previous start wasn't any better. The 26-year-old allowed eight runs on nine hits across 4.1 innings in a 12-1 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Wicks isn't a usual starter for Chicago, but it's using him in that role with left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) and right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) both on the 15-day IL, per MLB.com. Manager Craig Counsell admitted postgame on Sunday that the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has struggled thus far, via Marquee Sports Network.

"[He's pitched] six innings, and it hasn't been a great six innings," he said. "So that's where we're at."

Cubs Feeling Effect of Pitching Injuries

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks (36) © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

It's normal for a pitcher like Wilks to struggle, as he entered this season with just 25 big-league appearances (16 starts) under his belt. But Chicago is in a desperate position given its injuries, as left-hander Justin Steele (elbow), left-hander Riley Martin (elbow), right-hander Hunter Harvey (triceps), right-hander Jaxon Wiggins (elbow), right-hander Porter Hodge (flexor), right-hander Cade Horton (elbow) and right-hander Shelby Miller (elbow) are also out.

On the bright side, Cabrera, Boyd and Martin are expected back over the next few weeks. Cabrera is 3-2 with a 4.00 ERA over 10 starts this season while Boyd is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA across five starts. However, the latter pitcher went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA over 31 starts for the Cubs last year.

Meanwhile, Martin is a rookie who has logged a 2.16 ERA over eight outings (one start) this year. The 2021 sixth-round draft pick is 24-13 with a 3.76 ERA over 174 minor-league games (three starts).

Getting those players back will allow Chicago to put less stress on an unproven starter like Wicks, which is crucial given its place in the standings. The team is tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates for third place in the National League Central at 32-28, five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first.

Up next for the Cubs is a homestand against the Athletics and San Francisco Giants starting on Tuesday. Right-hander James Taillon will start for Chicago against Athletics southpaw Gage Jump, with the first pitch at 8:05 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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