Chicago Cubs Narrowly Defeat Giants but Struggle Amid Playoff Contention

The Chicago Cubs narrowly defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5, highlighted by 442-foot and 444-foot home runs from Ian Happ and Jorge Soler, respectively. Despite a late grand slam from Soler, the Cubs' bullpen managed to secure the win. Kyle Hendricks pitched a strong game, allowing just one run in 5⅔ innings, but the Cubs' bullpen remains a critical weakness, with a 4.39 ERA and leading the league in blown saves. The Cubs' season, marked by recent struggles and a 34-38 record, has led to speculation that they may not be buyers at the trade deadline, despite initial expectations. Key figures like Ken Rosenthal and Bob Nightengale have highlighted the team's disappointing performance and significant roster flaws. The Cubs front office faces mounting pressure to address these issues or risk missing the postseason once again.