Jameson Taillon pitched a gem on Wednesday against San Diego, and he’s giving the Chicago Cubs exactly what they need this season.
The Chicago Cubs capitalized on a series win over the San Diego Padres, closing out a .500 west coast trip. While the vibes on the field are high, vibes on the pitching health front aren’t so high. Justin Steele has hit a snag in his rehab, many guys are out for the season, and yes, Daniel Palencia is returning but there are still too many injuries.
Insert a player that is not getting enough appreciation. He may carry a 4.41 ERA as of this writing (April 29, 2026), but he’s pitched at least 6.0 innings in all but one start in 2026.
Workhorse Mentality
On Wednesday, Taillon hurled a gem in the Cubs’ series clinching victory in San Diego. The big righty went 7.0 innings, allowing just three runs, three hits, and one walk while fanning six batters. The long ball is still biting Taillon a bit, but those were his two biggest mistakes on Wednesday.
Apr 29, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) delivers during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Taillon is giving the Cubs the top thing they need… INNINGS. With Steele and Cade Horton missing from the rotation, the Cubs will need a ton of innings from their current staff. Edward Cabrera and Shota Imanaga are doing their part, and so is Taillon. Those three are the only players on the roster to throw at least 28.0 innings so far this season.
Sure, Taillon’s been hit hard at times so far this season. The six earned runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates and four earned runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly aren’t ideal. However, compounding quality starts on top of each other will be key for Taillon over the course of the season. But, if he continues to be a horse, throwing 6.0-plus innings every start, then the Cubs will be just fine.