Jameson Taillon’s role in the Chicago Cubs’ rotation is under scrutiny after a difficult outing on Sunday. Facing his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Taillon struggled, leading to one of his toughest performances since joining the Cubs. He gave up seven runs, including a grand slam, as the Cubs lost 8-7, failing to complete a series sweep at PNC Park.
The Cubs, now with a 59-46 record, attempted to overcome the six-run deficit. A three-run fourth inning, highlighted by Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI triple, and additional runs in the final innings exerted pressure on the Pirates. Nonetheless, the deficit proved insurmountable.
Taillon, expressing low confidence postgame, stated, “The results speak for themselves. I’m confident I can figure it out, but when you’re going out there and hurting the team, it’s obviously not a good place to be.” He has allowed 25 home runs in 76 innings this season, tying for the second-most in MLB.
The uncertainty extends to whether Taillon will make his next start, potentially scheduled against the New York Yankees. Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the need for discussions, saying, “We have days to figure that out, but we have to discuss what’s best for the staff in general. We need better than that.” Despite this, Counsell noted Taillon’s recent return from a hamstring injury, which sidelined him for seven weeks.
Taillon’s issues are ongoing, with home runs being a persistent problem. He’s given up home runs in 12 of his 15 starts, with eight starts having multiple home runs. “It’s been a problem kind of all year,” Taillon admitted.
With the trade deadline approaching on August 3, the Cubs may explore adding a new pitcher. They might want to use their position-player prospect depth to secure a reliable starter for potential postseason games. Injuries to Cade Horton and Justin Steele have strained the Cubs’ pitching resources, underscoring the need for rotation stability.
In the immediate term, right-hander Javier Assad could replace Taillon in the rotation, allowing Taillon time to work on his performance, or he might pitch from the bullpen against the Yankees to regain confidence.
Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy emphasized that Taillon’s struggles stem from inconsistent command, affected by poor counts. “He’s got a good mix. He’s got enough stuff. It’s just about being in the positive counts and being able to execute,” Hottovy stated. Taillon needs to find balance between using the strike zone to favor positive counts while executing well.
Taillon remains a respected figure in the clubhouse for his leadership and past postseason successes. However, in this performance-driven league, the Cubs may face decisions about Taillon’s future role. Taillon recognizes the pressure to improve. “I feel pressure to do better, for myself especially,” Taillon said.
Leave a Reply