Three up, three down: An update on the Cubs, June 16 edition

The Cubs had an okay week and remained solidly in first place in the NL Central.

The Cubs were 4-3 over the week ending Sunday, losing two of three in Philadelphia and winning three of four against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

Two of the three losses were in extra innings and with a bit of luck, one or both of those games could have gone into the win column.

The Cubs’ next test is trying to figure out why they are having so much trouble scoring runs at Wrigley Field. And even when they don’t hit with RISP, they are still winning:

Here’s who’s hot and not for the Cubs over the past week.

Three up

The collective bullpen

Over the seven games the Cubs pen threw 25 innings, allowed 19 hits and eight walks (1.080 WHIP) and five runs, three of which were earned for an ERA of 1.08.

The two unearned runs were in extra innings with the Manfred Man. Apart from those, which both led to losses, Cubs relievers were just outstanding over the week.

Poor bullpen work helped doom the 2023 and 2024 Cubs. This year’s pen has, so far, been light years better. It will create some tough decisions when pitchers currently on the IL (Shōta Imanaga, Porter Hodge) are ready to return.

Here’s Daniel Palencia registering a save Saturday on a nasty slider [VIDEO].

Matthew Boyd continues to be outstanding

Boyd made two starts over the week and allowed nine hits and three walks in 12 innings (1.000 WHIP) and two earned runs (1.50 ERA). The one unearned run he allowed was on his own throwing error on an attempted pickoff.

However, that pickoff throw can be very effective, as we saw Saturday [VIDEO].

Boyd is one of Jed Hoyer’s best signings.

Reese McGuire continues to be an excellent pickup

Speaking of good Hoyer signings, McGuire might be the best backup catcher Hoyer has signed during his tenure.

McGuire went 3-for-10 over the three games he played last week, including a double, and has posted 0.3 bWAR in just nine games played since he replaced the injured Miguel Amaya on the roster. In addition to good hitting overall (.250/.273/.469, two home runs), McGuire has caught three of 11 runners trying to steal.

That included this strike out/throw out double play Friday [VIDEO].

Three down

Matt Shaw is experiencing his first big MLB slump

Shaw went just 2-for-22 over the week with six strikeouts. Thus, the day off he was given Sunday. Along with the off day Monday, hopefully that will help Shaw reset and start hitting again.

Seiya Suzuki started the week well, then faded

Suzuki went 7-for-22 over the first five games of the week, including a home run Thursday against the Pirates.

Then he went 0-for-8 over the last two games with a pair of strikeouts.

Hopefully, Suzuki can resume hitting against the Brewers and Mariners this week.

Pete Crow-Armstrong had a rough week at the plate

PCA batted just .167/.167/.333 (4-for-24) over the week. That did include his 18th home run Thursday against the Pirates, two stolen bases, and of course he continues to play outstanding defense, including this nice running catch Sunday [VIDEO].

Oh, and about that home run Thursday?