The Cubs were soaring at 37–22 when Kyle Tucker jammed his finger sliding in early June. They’ve only gone 53–47 since then, which displays his importance at the plate. Initially, he kept going, but his OPS dropped from .982 in June to .735 by August. Then came September and a calf strain that sidelined him from the game. Now, the skipper has given an update that could bring back Wrigley’s flair as the postseason approaches.

Tucker was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to September 6, due to a calf injury. He rejoined the team and, on September 22, in an interview, he said, “I feel a little better,” but he didn’t specify when he would return. With the Cubs fighting for the postseason, manager Craig Counsell finally provided the update fans had been waiting for.

And it was exactly what Cubs fans wanted to hear. “I think our goal right now is to be in the lineup on Friday,” Craig Counsell informed about Kyle Tucker’s comeback via Marquee Sports Network. He further said, “I think we’re trending toward that. I don’t have a report on today, but I think in talking to him before the day started, we were kind of on the same page with that.” As per this, the DH will play on September 26th against the Cardinals.

Kyle Tucker’s return would strengthen the lineup. While he was gone, the Cubs depended on Willi Castro, Seiya Suzuki, and other players who filled in from time to time to play right field and DH.

Looking at the team’s postseason, the timing couldn’t be better for his comeback.

In the 3-game set against the NYM, they lost game 1 7-9, but won the very next game 10-3. They are at 89-69, ahead of the New York Mets (81-77) and the San Diego Padres (87-72). Now, for them, the magic number is two. Either they need only two wins or two Padres losses to secure home-field advantage in the Wild Card round.

Moreover, Tucker also seems ready for the moment. As he mentioned,  “I think I’ll be all right.” “For the most part, I think it’s more of a mental thing. If I can get mentally locked in, and I feel comfortable and I get at least a few at-bats, it’s something [where] I’ll be fine.”

For the Cubs, things are finally adding up. From the return of a 28-year-old to an arm getting activated from the IL.

Bullpen bolstered: Palencia back just as Kyle Tucker eyes return

On Wednesday, the Cubs got another boost when right-hander Daniel Palencia was taken off the IL. His comeback, along with Kyle Tucker’s impending activation, comes at a crucial moment for Chicago as they try to balance their roster before the playoffs. Palencia had been out since September 8 because of an injury in his right shoulder.

Manager Craig Counsell lowered expectations and stressed the need to ease him back in. He said, “I just want Daniel to pitch, you don’t care where.” “I think we’ve got to get Daniel outings. We’ve got to get Daniel on this mound. That’s the only thing that’s important.”

Before the injury, he was having a great season and was throwing as a closer. He has pitched 51 innings this year with a 3.00 ERA, struck out 28.1% of the batters he faced, walked 7.6%, and saved 22 games.

Palencia’s return adds depth to the bullpen, which has been inconsistent lately. The Cubs are optimistic that their late-season additions will help them stay competitive in October, as their offense anticipates the arrival of Kyle Tucker’s bat along with additional pitching support. Chicago will be trying to lock down home-field advantage in the Wild Card series.