​Today’s Reflections*The Bregman Weekend*I don’t like to name games, and this probably won’t catch on, but it was a Big Weekend for Alex Bregman. There were articles talking about him going into a deep dive during the All-Star break to fix all that is broken just a few days ago. It turns out that I wish the break wasn’t happening just as Bregman is starting to work out of his slump. But maybe instead of having the pressure of fixing everything, Bregman can fine tune what he just found out about his game.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSeemingly hidden behind Bregman’s Weekend was the performance of Michael Busch. He went 5-for-8 with three doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. If Busch keeps this up after the break, this is another possible breakout for this season.PCA was only 1-for-6 in the two games, but he worked the pitchers for four walks and scored two runs.And hopefully Kevin Alcantara getting the bat on the ball for a seeing-eye two-RBI single will give him some confidence in future games.Javier Assad and Matthew Boyd did not perform stunningly well, but their performances were solid and kept the Cubs in both games for a pair of seventh-inning rallies to win. Assad did give up a pair of solo home runs, but he stranded the other five hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk. Boyd’s game wasn’t as solid with a four-run third inning by the Reds, but Boyd importantly pitched into the seventh inning, having allowed two hits and a walk in the other 5.1 innings that he pitched.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlso, the bullpen held together in both games, allowing one run in 6.2 innings pitched. And the Cubs won the series.I’m ready for the second half.*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). $ means paywall. $ means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.Sunday’s Game Story:Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Alex Bregman’s homers sign of big second half for Cubs’ third baseman? ‘There’s some good stuff coming’ “Bregman came up with clutch home runs in each of the final two games of the first half, showing the Cubs might have been right in projecting a big turnaround for their big free-agent addition.”View LinkView LinkSean Holland (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/12/26): Cubs 8, Reds 4 – Bregman Goes Deep Again in W. “The road team got some more production out of their third baseman, who suddenly got right, to take the series.”View LinkView LinkMike Petraglia (MLB.com): Bregman starting to heat up as Cubs finish 1st half on strong note. “On Sunday, they did it again, rallying for their 27th comeback win, led by one of their leaders they’ll be leaning on in the second half.”View LinkView LinkSaturday’s Game Story:Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune $): Alex Bregman hits tiebreaking home run and bullpen delivers in Chicago Cubs’ 5-3 win ov