The Cubs need to get back to their winning ways and they will have a tough time doing so in the week leading up to the All-Star Break.

The Cubs have won only 5 of their last 19 series since the start of May but they are coming off one of those victories – taking 2 of 3 from the Angels over the holiday weekend at Wrigley Field.

Standing ahead of the Cubs on the upcoming road trip are a couple of teams playing really good baseball right now. First up is the Baltimore Orioles, owners of the most wins in the American League.

Then comes the Cardinals in St. Louis for a 4-game series that features a doubleheader on Saturday.

“We need to win series and that’s kind of the goal you put in front of yourself every three days, every four days,” Craig Counsell said. “We won a series and gonna go play a really good baseball team now in Baltimore. Will be a challenge, but that’s kind of the mindset we have to put ourselves in.”

Pitching probables

Baltimore

Tuesday: RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Dean Kremer

Wednesday: LHP Shota Imanaga vs. RHP Corbin Burnes

Thursday: LHP Justin Steele vs. RHP Albert Suárez

The Cubs have not yet announced starters for the road trip.

Tuesday is technically Imanaga’s turn in the rotation but the Cubs have often found ways for him to get 5 or more full days of rest in between starts. With Monday’s off-day, they could utilize that time to give Taillon the ball on Tuesday on regular rest and then have the veteran right-hander start again on Sunday in the finale before the All-Star Break.

If Imanaga were to start on Tuesday, he would have to go on regular rest on Sunday – something the Cubs have avoided and something that would also take him out of pitching in the All-Star Game on the ensuing Tuesday.

Steele has been lights-out lately and is coming off his first career complete game.

St. Louis

Friday: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Lance Lynn

Saturday: RHP Javier Assad and RHP Hayden Wesneski vs. RHP Kyle Gibson and RHP Miles Mikolas

Sunday: RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Andre Pallante

Hendricks left his start on Saturday after only 2 innings with low back tightness. But he was very confident it would clear up in a couple of days and said he would “100%” make his next start.

Assuming that’s the case, he will likely take the ball on Friday. That sets up Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad for Saturday’s doubleheader.

Counsell said this week that the Cubs are expecting Assad to come off the IL this week if he can continue to check off all the boxes in his rehab from a forearm injury.

Quote of the Week

“There’s just a joy to the way it feels like he competes. I think we all are a little jealous of that, really – the way we see him compete. At least I am, I know. It’s really fun to watch. But there’s a real, genuine joy that comes from him when he’s on the mound competing. And that’s special. That really is.” – Counsell on Shota Imanaga after the rookie southpaw was named to the 2024 NL All-Star team Sunday.

Storylines to keep an eye on

— The Cubs are expecting to get several injured pitchers back this week. In addition Assad, the team is also anticipating a return for reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who is elgible to return Tuesday. That would be a big boost for a bullpen that has pitched pretty well over the last few weeks.

— Simply put: Can the Cubs put together a strong stretch in the final push before the 4-day All-Star Break? They are at a point where they need to start stacking wins – and series wins – if they are going to get back into the thick of the NL playoff race.