Michael Busch's heroics weren't enough as the Cubs bullpen collapsed in an 8-6 loss to the Cardinals on July 5. See how a 3-run lead vanished in one inning.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had all the makings of a classic Wrigley Field victory. A red-hot slugger carrying the offense, a four-game winning streak on the line, and the hated Cardinals in the other dugout. But baseball can be a cruel sport. In a stunning turn of events, a catastrophic eighth-inning bullpen collapse erased a brilliant performance from Michael Busch, handing the Cubs a gut-wrenching 8-6 loss and snapping their recent hot streak.
Seven consecutive hits. Four home runs in two days. Michael Busch isn't just hot; he's playing a different sport right now.
For most of the season, the Cubs bullpen has been a fortress. On Saturday, the walls came crumbling down. Holding a 6-3 lead, the stage was set for the setup men to close it out. Instead, the Cardinals mounted a five-run rally against Brad Keller, who endured a nightmare outing. The inning was a comedy of errors, including a key defensive miscommunication on a bunt, but the knockout blow came from the unlikeliest of sources: a pinch-hit, three-run homer by Yohel Pozo that silenced the Wrigley faithful and put St. Louis ahead for good. It was a rare and brutal off-day for a unit that has been so reliable.
While the final score stings, it's impossible to ignore the supernova that is Michael Busch. After his historic three-homer game on July 4th, manager Craig Counsell rolled the dice and started him against a lefty. Busch rewarded that faith instantly, launching his 18th home run in his first at-bat. He didn't stop there, adding a double and a single to extend his consecutive hits streak to seven before finally striking out. He was a triple shy of the cycle and single-handedly kept the Cubs' offense churning. His performance is forcing the conversation: he's no longer a platoon player, he's an everyday star.
Busch wasn't the only Cub swinging a hot bat. Catcher Carson Kelly also had a big day, smacking a home run and a double. Even the seemingly invincible Drew Pomeranz showed he was human. Making an opener appearance, he allowed his first two earned runs of the entire season, though his ERA still sits at a microscopic 0.76. It was a day of statistical anomalies, where the team's biggest strengths—the bullpen and Pomeranz—faltered, while a player proving his everyday worth shined brightest.
This loss is tougher to swallow given the team is still navigating significant injuries, with key arms like Justin Steele and Javier Assad still on the IL. However, the club's long-term health remains strong. News from the farm system confirmed the Cubs still boast seven Top 100 prospects, showcasing incredible organizational depth even after the Kyle Tucker trade. This depth at Double-A and Triple-A provides insurance and a pipeline of talent, a crucial asset for a team with championship aspirations.
One loss, no matter how painful, doesn't define a season. The Cubs will have to shake this one off quickly and come back tomorrow to try and win the series against their biggest rival. The key questions moving forward: Can the bullpen bounce back from its worst outing of the year, and is there anything that can cool down the scorching-hot Michael Busch? Sunday's finale just got a whole lot more interesting.
