Cubs Face Starting Pitching Crisis After Loss to Cardinals

It would be difficult for any team to deal with the Chicago Cubs' current predicament, and that showed on Sunday. The club lost 5-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, clinching a series win for the latter team.

Southpaw pitcher Jordan Wicks earned his second loss in as many appearances this season after giving up three runs on four hits over just two innings, and his previous start wasn't any better. The 26-year-old allowed eight runs on nine hits across 4.1 innings in a 12-1 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Wicks isn't a usual starter for Chicago, but it's using him in that role with left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) and right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) both on the 15-day IL, per MLB.com. Manager Craig Counsell admitted postgame on Sunday that the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has struggled thus far, via Marquee Sports Network.

"[He's pitched] six innings, and it hasn't been a great six innings," he said. "So that's where we're at."

Cubs Feeling Effect of Pitching Injuries

It's normal for a pitcher like Wilks to struggle, as he entered this season with just 25 big-league appearances (16 starts) under his belt. But Chicago is in a desperate position given its injuries, as left-hander Justin Steele (elbow), left-hander Riley Martin (elbow), right-hander Hunter Harvey (triceps), right-hander Jaxon Wiggins (elbow), right-hander Porter Hodge (flexor), right-hander Cade Horton (elbow) and right-hander Shelby Miller (elbow) are also out.

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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 11:52 PM.