URGENT UPDATE: The Chicago Cubs are struggling in a significant offensive slump, losing three consecutive series for the first time this season. Following a 2-1 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, the team is urging players to focus on the process rather than the results as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Pirates.
As of now, the Cubs rank 28th in runs scored since the All-Star break, a stark contrast to their earlier performance when they dominated the league’s scoring charts. Manager Craig Counsell expressed the team’s mindset on Friday, stating, “Things not going right is not what’s happening. You have to be tough enough to roll with that.” This approach is crucial as the Cubs attempt to remain competitive in the wild-card race while trailing the Milwaukee Brewers in their division.
Key players are experiencing significant struggles. Right fielder Kyle Tucker is batting just .195 since July 1, with only one home run. After a promising start to the season, Tucker’s performance has declined sharply, and he admits, “You just figure it out. We play so many games, you just got to get through it at times.”
Meanwhile, designated hitter Seiya Suzuki has driven in only eight runs since the break, down from 77 RBIs in the first half, batting at a disappointing .182. First baseman Michael Busch is also struggling with a .171 average, and left fielder Ian Happ is at .228.
Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is feeling the pressure, recording only three hits and 15 strikeouts in August. He reflected on the challenges, saying, “When stuff starts to kind of pile up like that, it sucks, but it’s also baseball.” The Cubs need to turn things around quickly as they face the Pirates, with the division title slipping further away.
Despite the current woes, the Cubs have not been swept in a three- or four-game series this season, a feat achieved by only two teams in baseball. This resilience may prove crucial as they aim to regain their form. Crow-Armstrong remains optimistic, emphasizing, “It’s been an interesting two weeks, but we’re fine. I don’t think there’s any worry in the world.”
The Cubs will need to elevate their game quickly to cut into the Brewers’ lead while fending off the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card race. As the weekend series against the Pirates approaches, the team is committed to sticking to their process, hoping to find their offensive groove once again.
Stay tuned for updates as the Cubs fight to reclaim their momentum in the season’s crucial final stretch.
