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Ben Brown • SP • Cubs

Ben Brown is Worth Adding During Breakout Campaign

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown is in the midst of a breakout campaign and is quickly becoming a top waiver wire option. The right-hander is coming off his best start of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. Brown tossed six innings, allowing one earned run while striking out seven batters. Overall, Brown owns a 2.01 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 47:14 K:BB ratio across 16 appearances (four starts) with the Cubs this season. Brown started the season in a multi-inning role in the bullpen, but was moved into the starting rotation due to injuries. The Cubs are currently without a handful of starting pitchers, so they need Brown to stay in the rotation for now. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help should consider adding Brown while he's in this hot stretch. There's a chance he heads back to the bullpen eventually, but he's worth an add right now.

2 days ago

Ian Happ • LF • Cubs

Ian Happ Breaks Out of Slump With Five-RBI Performance to Carry Cubs

It's been rough sledding of late for Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ, but he was able to turn things around at the plate on Wednesday in the 10-4 win over the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Happ went 2-for-6 at the plate with a home run and a season-high five RBI to boost his season average to .215 and his OPS to .782. It was the 31-year-old veteran's third career game with at least five RBI, and it also snapped a nine-game homerless drought. Happ came into Wednesday's contest in Pittsburgh hitting .122 (6-for-49) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four runs, nine walks, and 26 strikeouts in his last 14 games since May 9, which included just two multi-hit games. Fantasy managers are hoping that Wednesday's turnaround will be the start of more consistent production from Happ and the Cubs, who snapped a 10-game losing streak in the win over the Bucs. Happ now has a .346 on-base percentage, .436 slugging percentage, 11 homers, 26 RBI, 36 runs scored, and two steals across 52 games in his 10th year in the big leagues.

4 days ago

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd a High-Strikeout Starter to Stash?

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (knee) has been on the injured list since early May due to a left meniscus injury, but he is still worth stashing in fantasy baseball. Boyd posted a subpar 6.00 ERA before the injury, but it came over a small sample size, and we know that he wasn't fully healthy. We're far more encouraged by what he did well: striking out batters. The southpaw had 11.63 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, and 0.75 HR/9 through his first five starts this year. He also had a 2.59 xFIP, suggesting that his ERA was skewed by bad luck and he's due for some favorable regression over a larger sample size. Once Boyd gets back from the IL, we'd expect him to lower his ERA while continuing to post an impressive K/BB ratio. The 35-year-old is expected to make two rehab starts soon, so he's likely targeting a mid-June return to the major league rotation. That's not too far away, so managers should consider stashing Boyd in anticipation of his activation. At the moment, he's available in 52% of fantasy baseball leagues.

4 days ago

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd Scheduled to Make Rehab Start on Sunday

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (knee) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Boyd underwent surgery to repair his left meniscus in early May, but he appears to be progressing well and could be ready to return to the big leagues in early June. Boyd got off to a slow start to the 2026 season before getting injured, recording a 2-1 record with a 6.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts across 24 innings (five starts). However, Boyd's 4.13 xERA and his 49.6% strand rate suggest that he was impacted by some poor luck. In deeper leagues, Boyd could be worth stashing off the waiver wire as a buy-low candidate ahead of his impending return.

5 days ago

Ben Brown • SP • Cubs

Ben Brown Worth Considering Off the Waiver Wire in Two-Start Week

Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown has already been trending up in his transition to a starting role in Chicago, and he should be even more attractive in Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season while scheduled for a two-start week versus the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. The 26-year-old has slowly been building up his pitch count in a starting role after opening the 2026 season as a reliever for the Cubbies. In his last outing on May 19 in a loss to the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, Brown allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out six in five innings of work. He has thrown at least four innings in each of his first three starts, dating back to May 8, and he's racked up 13 strikeouts in his last two appearances. Neither the Pirates nor the Cardinals are exactly excellent matchups for Brown as far as being a streamer, but he becomes more valuable in weekly formats because he's slated to start twice. Despite taking his first loss his last time out, Brown holds a strong 2.09 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 40:12 K:BB in 38 2/3 innings this year, and he's only rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

6 days ago

Ian Happ • LF • Cubs

Ian Happ Sitting for Second Straight Game, Should Managers be Concerned?

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Houston Astros for a "mental breather." Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, "he told him to take Saturday off completely, and Sunday, he's been hitting and doing other typical pregame work. The 31-year-old has struggled mightily over his last six games, slashing .042/.115/.083 with 14 strikeouts across 26 plate appearances. Overall, Happ had been solid, slashing .214/.350/.429 with 10 home runs, 20 RBI, 35 runs, and two stolen bases through 220 plate appearances. His walk BB% has increased from 13.1% last season to 16.4%, while his K% has ballooned from 22.8% to 33.2%. Although there is cause for some concern, fantasy managers should continue to hold onto Happ as he works his way back through his slump. Happ is expected to return to the Cubs lineup for Monday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

7 days ago

Edward Cabrera • SP • Cubs

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on his right middle finger, retroactive to May 21. He was pulled from Wednesday's start against the Milwaukee Brewers early after allowing our runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters across three innings. Before landing on the injured list, Cabrera owned a (3-2) record with a 4.00 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 47:20 K:BB across 54 innings this season. The Cubs recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks in a corresponding move, and he will take Cabrera's spot in the rotation. Wicks owns a 4.44 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts across 26 1/3 innings with Triple-A Iowa. The 26-year-old has pitched well recently, posting a 0.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts over 15 innings. Wicks is scheduled to start on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday. He is mainly a streaming option in deep and NL-Only leagues for now.

7 days ago

Kevin Alcántara • RF • Cubs

Kevin Alcantara to Earn Promotion to MLB, Worth Adding for Elite Power Upside?

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara continues to deliver for Triple-A Iowa. The 23-year-old has homered three times over his last nine games and has up to 15 long balls on the season. Overall, Alcantara is slashing .242/.339/.567 with 15 home runs, 32 RBI, 27 runs, and three stolen bases in 41 games at Triple-A. With Alcantara raking in the minors, he is set to be recalled by the Cubs. According to Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM, Alcantara is "walking into Wrigley." The 6-foot-6 Cubs prospect has plus power and a .906 OPS this season, but has struck out a whopping 33.0% of the time. Fantasy managers searching for power and looking to improve their outfield should take a chance on Alcantara, as he's widely available, rostered in just 1% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues.

May 23

Matt Shaw • RF • Cubs

Matt Shaw Placed on Injured List with Back Tightness

Chicago Cubs utility player Matt Shaw (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with mid-back tightness, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. Shaw is expected to miss several weeks. In a corresponding move, top infield prospect Pedro Ramirez was promoted to the majors. Shaw owns a modest .242/.291/.400 slash line with three homers this year, but he had been struggling lately with a 0-for-14 skid. The 24-year-old has mostly come off the bench this season, playing a variety of positions. So far this year, he has played all three outfield spots, as well as first, second, and third base. The right-handed hitter was rostered in just 5% of fantasy leagues before his injury, and his roster share could decrease if managers aren't willing to wait for him to return from the IL.

May 22

Pedro Ramírez • 2B • Cubs

Cubs Promote Prospect Pedro Ramirez to Majors, Worth an Add Off Waiver Wire?

Chicago Cubs infield prospect Pedro Ramirez has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Ramirez has been on the 40-man roster since last November, but he hasn't appeared in a big-league game yet, so his next appearance will be his MLB debut. Signed out of Venezuela in 2021, Ramirez is a 22-year-old infielder capable of playing second and third base. Prior to his promotion, he owned an impressive .312/.395/.547 slash line with nine homers, 40 RBI, 19 steals, a 10.7% walk rate, a 16.3% strikeout rate, and 136 wRC+ across 43 games at Triple-A. He was recently listed as a hitter honorable mention in RotoBaller analyst Eric Cross' list of prospects to stash in fantasy baseball redraft leagues. As a switch-hitter, Ramirez could find his way into the lineup against pitchers of either handedness. That gives him an advantage for playing time and, paired with his power/speed combo, makes him an intriguing waiver wire target in fantasy baseball.

May 22

Pedro Ramírez • 2B • Cubs

Pedro Ramirez Emerging as a Strong Stash Candidate

Chicago Cubs infield/outfield prospect Pedro Ramirez has methodically climbed the team's minor league ladder, finally landing at Triple-A this season and showing that the steady progress has paid off. The Cubs' second-ranked prospect is hitting .312 through 43 games so far this season, and a 10.7 percent walk rate has helped him to a strong .395 OBP. The switch-hitter is also slugging .547 thanks to a plethora of extra-base hits, including 11 doubles, a triple, and nine home runs. Not only can he hit for power, but the Venezuelan has some speed, too, swiping 19 bags already this year. A low 16.3 percent strikeout rate and 6.2 percent swinging-strike rate show he's not overmatched by Triple-A pitching, and he could be ready for a shot in the majors in the coming weeks. The combination of contact, power, and speed, with the potential to be hitting in a Cubs lineup that is top 10 in the majors in runs scored per game, pushes the 22-year-old into stash consideration for fantasy.

May 21

Kevin Alcántara • RF • Cubs

Kevin Alcantara a Must-Stash for Home Run Upside

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara continues to show intriguing power potential for the Iowa Cubs, belting his Triple-A-leading 15th home run on Wednesday. The 6-foot-6 slugger has reached base safely via hit or walk in 20 straight games, during which time he's gone 22-for-80 (.275), pushing his season average to .245 with a .909 OPS. Swing-and-miss has long been his bugaboo, and this year is no different, carrying a 33.0 percent K% and 15.0 percent swinging-strike rate, but it is offset by the prodigious power and strong walk rate of 11.4 percent. The Dominican is already on the 40-man roster, having briefly spent time with the big league club in both 2024 and 2025, so with the way he's hitting, the right-handed hitter should be next in line when the team needs an outfielder. The 23-year-old carries batting average risk for fantasy, but the power is undeniable, making him one of the top hitters to stash for his home run upside.

May 21

Edward Cabrera • SP • Cubs

Edward Cabrera Leaves Early on Wednesday With Middle-Finger Blister

Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) left his start early on Wednesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers with a right middle-finger blister, according to Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Cabrera got through only three innings on Wednesday, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out two to take his second loss of the season. It could be worse, but Cabrera is now in danger of missing his next scheduled start next Tuesday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler has been inconsistent in his first year with the Cubbies, as he came into his start on Wednesday with a 3-1 record, 4.06 ERA (4.51 FIP), and 1.31 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 51 innings pitched across nine starts. Fantasy managers should consider Cabrera day-to-day and check back in a few days to see how he's progressing with his blister. Cabrera faced the Pirates in his third start of the year back on April 11 at Wrigley Field and allowed three earned runs with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings for a no-decision.

May 20

Shota Imanaga • SP • Cubs

Shota Imanaga Allows Season-Worst Eight Runs, Should Managers be Concerned?

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga was touched up by the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night to take his fourth loss of the season. It wasn't pretty, as the Japanese left-hander allowed a season-high eight earned runs on nine hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings of work to raise his season ERA to 3.38. The 32-year-old southpaw came into the series opener against the Brew Crew with a 2.32 ERA with three straight quality starts, but he just wasn't on his game on Monday and allowed seven earned runs in the third and fourth innings combined. In his first three starts in May, Imanaga was excellent for his fantasy managers, giving up just three earned runs on 15 hits (two homers) while walking four and striking out 21 in 20 innings pitched. Outside of his rough outing on Monday, Imanaga has allowed more than two earned runs in a game just twice. His peripherals have been solid, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned with Imanaga's ugly outing to begin Week 8.

May 19

Ben Brown • SP • Cubs

Ben Brown Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target Following Return to the Cubs Rotation

After opening the season in a bulk relief role, Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown was moved into the starting rotation on May 8. The 26-year-old has impressed since the role shift, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 over eight innings of work (two starts). Brown's year-long numbers are excellent as well, as he's pitched to a 1.60 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 33 2/3 innings (14 games). Brown's 0.27 HR/9 is a significant improvement from the 1.52 HR/9 he posted in 2025, so he could be in line for some ERA regression as the weather heats up in Chicago and the ball starts to fly at Wrigley Field. Still, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a career MLB strikeout rate of 26.6% and appears to be finding his groove as a big-league pitcher. Now that he's back in the Cubs rotation, Brown offers some upside as a waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.

May 16

Matthew Boyd • SP • Cubs

Matthew Boyd is Making Solid Progress

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (knee) is reportedly feeling good physically and plans to throw off the mound on Saturday. If everything goes well, Boyd will throw a bullpen session sometime next week. This is great news considering Boyd underwent meniscus surgery on his left knee last week. The recovery timetable is about six weeks, so there's still more work to be done. It sounds like the veteran southpaw has a chance to beat that timetable, assuming everything continues to go well. There's a chance he is back in the Cubs rotation by mid-June. Boyd wasn't posting great numbers before the injury, but could be someone worth stashing in deep leagues.

May 15

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Cooling Off After Hot Stretch

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki was on an unbelievable run at the plate, but he has cooled off lately. Over the last week, Suzuki is 2-for-17 at the plate with one home run, two RBI, and four walks. The veteran slugger is hitless over his last four games, as it appears Suzuki is coming back down to Earth. It was eventually going to happen, but fantasy managers still might be able to sell-high on Suzuki despite some recent struggles. It wasn't too long ago that no pitcher was able to get him out. Over the last month, Suzuki has recorded 26 hits with seven home runs. Fantasy managers might be able to sell him on the hopes that he'll return to that form soon.

May 14

Alex Bregman • 3B • Cubs

Alex Bregman Homers Tuesday, Getting Out of Skid?

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman has been struggling at the plate lately, but he could be getting back on track with a home run Tuesday and an active three-game hitting streak. In his first season with the Cubs, Bregman is slashing .233/.326/.350 with four home runs, an 11.8% walk rate, and a career-worst 16.6% strikeout rate. His power and run creation have also hit new career-low marks, as he owns a .117 ISO and 94 wRC+. Tuesday's solid performance could be a sign that he's finding his groove at the plate, and while the counting stats still aren't great, it's worth noting that he has managed to reach base safely in eight consecutive games. As it stands, he ranks #12 among third basemen in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

May 13

Kevin Alcántara • RF • Cubs

Kevin Alcantara Viewed as Top Prospect to Stash for Power Potential

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara is emerging as the clear prospect to stash when looking for power upside. Alcantara was unable to claim a spot on the team's Opening Day roster but has enjoyed a dominant start to the Triple-A campaign with the Iowa Cubs. Through his first 33 games of the campaign, Alcantara has launched 13 home runs while holding an overall .246/.345/.603 line with a .948 OPS. He has also swiped three bags and added six doubles. Alcantara made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign but appeared in only 13 games, split between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Given Chicago's deep outfield, Alcantara has yet to earn a true full-time stint in the major leagues. While this has blocked him from an early promotion, he remains a solid stash option in five-outfielder formats, as he could emerge as an everyday player if Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, or Ian Happ were to have a lengthy stint on the injured list.

May 13

Ben Brown • SP • Cubs

Ben Brown Earns Another Start, Taking on Braves on Thursday

The Chicago Cubs have rewarded right-hander Ben Brown with another start, which will come on Thursday at Truist Park against the first-place Atlanta Braves and veteran lefty Chris Sale, per MLB.com. Brown, who is filling in for Chicago's banged-up starting rotation, earned a second start after tossing four shutout innings with no hits allowed, one walk, and three strikeouts in a no-decision against the Texas Rangers last Friday. On the year, the 26-year-old former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 has been excellent for the Cubbies, recording a 1.82 ERA (2.65 FIP), 0.91 WHIP, one save, 27 strikeouts, and nine walks in 29 2/3 frames across 13 appearances (one start). Because Brown could stick around for the long term in Chicago's rotation, he's certainly worth a look off the waiver wire -- he's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues. However, we wouldn't recommend starting him this week against a Braves team with the best OPS (.784) in the big leagues.

May 12

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