The Chicago Cubs have had a rollercoaster ride through the first half of the season, and it's been a wild ride for fans and players alike. With the All-Star Break behind us, it's time to reflect on the highs and lows of the Cubs' journey so far. From devastating injuries to incredible stretches of play, the Cubs have experienced it all, and it's been a real test of character. So, let's dive into the awards and accolades that have been handed out, and explore the key moments that have defined the Cubs' first half.
MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong
In my opinion, the most valuable player of the first half is undoubtedly Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Cubs center fielder has been a force to be reckoned with, silencing doubters and answering questions about his overall game. With a 6.0 fWAR, Crow-Armstrong is leading the Cubs in WAR and is the only player in Major League Baseball with a higher WAR than Shohei Ohtani, who has accrued value as both a pitcher and hitter. Crow-Armstrong's plate discipline has improved drastically, and he is on pace for a second straight 30-30 season. His defensive skills are also impressive, and he is arguably the best defensive player in the game, regardless of position. The $115 million extension he signed with the Cubs might be an absolute steal for the team.
Cy Young: Ben Brown
Another standout performer in the first half is Ben Brown, a right-handed pitcher who has had a breakout season. With a 2.2 WAR, Brown leads all Cubs pitchers, and his 1.85 ERA and 0.94 WHIP are truly impressive. Brown started the year as an effective reliever, and then moved into the rotation with the injuries, performing even better with a 1.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 8 starts. While it's unknown whether Brown will pitch again in 2026, he is under team control for four more seasons, and should be a big part of the Cubs pitching staff moving forward.
Best Newcomer: Ryan Rolison
Ryan Rolison, a left-handed pitcher, has been a savior in the bullpen for the Cubs. Despite appearing in only 3 games before May, Rolison is tied for third behind only Webb and Milner in games on the Cubs pitching staff. With a 2.80 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, Rolison has been a huge piece of the team's early success, and has exceeded his rookie limits last year with the Rockies.
Silver Slugger: Pete Crow-Armstrong
Pete Crow-Armstrong has had an outstanding first half, and his offensive stats speak for themselves. His batting average is up 44 points year over year, his on-base percentage is up a whopping 99 points, his slugging percentage is up 50 points, and his .917 OPS is stellar. It's no wonder he leads the team in most offensive categories.
Gold Glove: Pete Crow-Armstrong
Pete Crow-Armstrong won a Gold Glove last season, and many believed he should have been the NL Platinum Glove winner. This year, he looks well on his way to taking it home again, and on any other team, Swanson would be a lock for the Gold Glove. His spectacular defense at shortstop has earned him a 2.5 bWAR, despite a below-average offensive season to date.
Biggest Surprise: Pitching Injuries and Nico Hoerner's Slump
The pitching injuries have clearly stood out as a wild occurrence, and even Cubs players and staffers have acknowledged they’ve never seen anything quite like this before. The Cubs built up plenty of pitching depth in the offseason, but it still wasn’t enough. Nico Hoerner's slump has also been a surprise, as he had a .285 combined batting average from 2021-25, never hitting below .273 in any season. Yet this year, he sits at .233 entering the break, and the team needs a big second half from its 29-year-old second baseman.
Best NBA Jam ‘ON FIRE!’ Performance: Dansby Swanson
Dansby Swanson had an incredible 10-game span, setting a Cubs cord with 8 homers and 26 RBI. His season OPS jumped over a hundred points in the process, and it was a thrilling performance to watch.
Toughest Loss: 9-8 vs. CHW (May 17)
The loss to the White Sox on the South Side in the series finale seemed to pack a lot of pain. It hurt for the fanbase, as the Crosstown Series is always good for friendly (or not-so-friendly) banter between Cubs and Sox fans. And that Sunday victory ensured the White Sox won the first edition of the Crosstown Series. It was also in the midst of a difficult time for the Cubs, as it was the second defeat in a devastating 10-game losing streak as the Cubs were playing at their worst in the season.
Best Walk-Off: May 4 over CIN
The Cubs have had a whopping 10 walk-offs entering the break, and the game on May 4 may take the cake as the best. The Cubs tied it with a rally in the 4th inning, and before the crowd could even catch its breath, pinch-hitter Michael Conforto drove an opposite-field homer into the bleachers to give the Cubs an exhilarating 5-4 victory.
As we look ahead to the second half, the Cubs have 66 games remaining. What will the second half have in store for this team? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Cubs have a lot of baseball left to play, and there's still a lot of drama to come.
