The Chicago Cubs just pulled off a stunner, coming back from four runs down to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 at Wrigley Field. This dramatic victory extends their winning streak to an incredible ten games. Nobody saw this kind of run coming, least of all the big-money Dodgers.
This wasn’t some fluke. The Cubs trailed 6-2 in the bottom of the 7th inning on Thursday, April 24, 2026. Then, the bats came alive.
Cody Bellinger blasted a 3-run shot off Dodgers ace Tyler Glasnow, cutting the lead. Dansby Swanson then singled home the tying run.
Patrick Wisdom’s sacrifice fly in the 8th sealed the 7-6 win. Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay shut down the Dodgers in the 9th.
Dodgers’ Bullpen Nightmare and Roberts’ Hot Seat
A four-run lead in the 7th against any team should be enough. Against the Cubs, it should have been a walk in the park. But the Dodgers’ vaunted bullpen folded like a cheap suit.
Glasnow, who had been cruising, lost his stuff. Then came Ryan Brasier and then closer Evan Phillips, who took the loss. This isn’t just one bad night.
The Dodgers’ relief corps has been shaky. Their bullpen ERA has climbed to 4.20 over the last seven games. That’s unacceptable for a team with their payroll.
Manager Dave Roberts has to answer for this collapse. He admitted, “We had it in our grasp, and we let it slip away. We need to execute better.” That’s manager-speak for “our guys choked.”
This bullpen issue will cost them. The front office will be looking at expensive trade targets. You can’t spend a fortune on a lineup and then cheap out on the relief.
Roberts’ job security hinges on fixing these high-leverage situations. Blowing leads like this against a surging opponent is a red flag for any manager.
Cubs’ Unwritten Rules and Future Payroll
Meanwhile, the Cubs are flying high with an MLB-best 18-5 record. Manager Craig Counsell rightly praised his team’s “unwavering belief” and “grit.”
This is the kind of fight you can’t teach with analytics. This is old-school baseball hustle.
The atmosphere at Wrigley Field was electric with 41,649 fans. That’s money in the bank for the Ricketts family. This winning streak changes everything for the Cubs’ front office.
Players like Cody Bellinger are having a resurgence, now with 7 home runs. His value is skyrocketing. What will his next contract demand be?
The front office will face tough decisions now. Do they go all-in for a championship push? That means more payroll, bigger contracts, and potentially fewer prospects.
The pressure is on to capitalize on this momentum. You don’t get many 10-game winning streaks handed to you.
The Real Cost of Success
The Cubs are no longer a surprise; they are contenders. This success comes with a price. High-performing players will expect bigger paychecks.
Trade deadlines will bring pressure to add expensive pieces. The Dodgers’ failure to close out a game they should have won shows the fragility of even a “super team.”
This game wasn’t just another win for the Cubs. It was a statement. It showed the Dodgers’ bullpen is a liability.
It showed the Cubs have the fight of a true contender. This streak means the Cubs’ front office needs to open its wallet.
Otherwise, this “grit” will walk right out the door for bigger money elsewhere. That’s the cold, hard truth of baseball today.
Source: Google News
