Chicago Cubs first baseman Busch has taken another step forward in his development this year, which has included raising his on-base percentage by nearly 40 points.

As the Cubs prepare for Game 1 of the Crosstown Classic Friday against the White Sox at Rate Field, two pitchers are working to rejoin the club. Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon threw 47 pitches during a bullpen session Friday at Wrigley Field,

The Cubs lineup had a bit of a different look Friday, going up against White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser, who is in the midst of the best season of his career. Switch-hitting Vidal Bruján got the start at third base over Matt Shaw, and left-handed hitting Reese McGuire started behind the plate.

The Chicago Cubs haven't been to the playoffs in a full season since 2018 and that was just one game, as they lost the Wild Card back when it was a one-and-done. They're coming off back-to-back 83-win seasons.

Amaya is a gem, but the Cubs are loaded at catcher, with the reliable Carson Kelly locked in as the go-to starter and Reese McGuire as a solid backup. And lest we forget, 21-year-old phenom Moises Ballesteros is waiting in the wings.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Chicago has looked into Baltimore Orioles’ reliever Seranthony Dominguez and Tampa Bay Rays’ closer Peter Fairbanks. Levine adds that the Cubs are “working hard to acquire additional bullpen pieces” ahead of the deadline.

The Chicago Cubs need a third reliable starting pitcher, and the Kansas City Royals have the man for the job in last season's Cy Young runner-up, Seth Lugo.

The Chicago Cubs have been the topic of seemingly endless rumors and speculation as to what they could wind up doing before the trade deadline. It makes sense w