Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell tried to energize his team, following weeks of lackluster offense. Prior to Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field, Counsell restructured the lineup. This included giving struggling Ian Happ a break and benching recently promoted prospects.
Saturday’s game ended similarly to recent matches; Cubs lost 3-0, marking their seventh straight defeat and 11th in 13 games. This poor performance has led to losing five consecutive series.
Saturday’s leadoff hitter, Pete Crow-Armstrong, noted the lineup change and appreciated Counsell’s initiative. Crow-Armstrong stated, “I appreciate (Counsell’s) willingness to shake it up a little bit, and he’s got a good lineup to do that with. Wherever I fall in the lineup, wherever anybody falls in the lineup, we’re just looking to capitalize a little bit better than we’ve been doing.”
Counsell had hinted at lineup adjustments following Friday’s loss to the Astros. His approach was slightly radical as Nico Hoerner, typically leading off, was moved to fourth. Crow-Armstrong led off for the first time this season, and Michael Conforto replaced Happ in left field, batting fifth.
Counsell explained, “Shake-up was probably the thing we were after. What you’re doing when you do that is you’re just giving guys a different look in terms of when they’re going up there. Not a lot of thought.” However, outcomes remained unchanged, with the Cubs still struggling offensively during their 2-11 stretch. They managed only three hits, had no chances with runners in scoring positions, and only advanced a single baserunner beyond first base.
During Friday’s loss, Cubs had nine opportunities with runners in scoring positions but remained ineffective, leaving 11 stranded. Saturday, the lack of opportunities compounded their difficulties. Christian Walker’s two home runs against starter Colin Rea fortified the Astros’ three-run lead by the third inning.
Counsell remarked, “Anytime you get seven innings from your starter, you’re thinking you’re in pretty good shape. But right now, what we’re doing offensively, it’s too much.”
The Cubs’ new-look lineup’s first eight players went hitless, with Nico Hoerner and designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros managing walks but failing to advance. Dansby Swanson’s two-out pop-up amidst the third inning accounted for Cubs’ initial hit, furthered only slightly by a Crow-Armstrong single. Crow-Armstrong’s caught steal dashed any significant scoring threat.
Despite the ongoing struggles, Counsell and the Cubs maintain composure, not overtly distressed by the two-week slump. Counsell emphasized, “The challenge is to stay with that stuff when you’re not getting results. We’ve struggled as a team for two weeks, and while frustrating, it’s still two weeks.” He remains confident, stating, “We’re going to come out of this. It’s going to be fine. We’re a good baseball team.”
The lineup shake-ups weren’t isolated. Cubs recalled outfielder Kevin Alcántara from Triple-A Iowa and designated infielder Nicky Lopez to reconstitute the active roster. A day prior, infield prospect Pedro Ramírez was promoted when Matt Shaw incurred a mid-back injury. Both prospects served as pinch hitters. Alcántara, batting for Conforto, struck out in the seventh, while Ramírez, substituting catcher Miguel Amaya, grounded out in the eighth.
Alcántara expressed readiness, saying, “Honestly, I’m going to be ready for any moment that they give me an opportunity to help the team.” His commitment encompassed both field performance and fostering team dynamics within the clubhouse.
Despite roster transitions or lineup shifts, ultimate responsibility to overcome the offensive dry spell resides with player performance. Crow-Armstrong conveyed, “I don’t really think there’s many adjustments that need to be made from anybody’s process or swing or anything like that. This just happens in baseball where teams have dry spells.” He added that trust in their process brings them solace, asserting, “Most of the time, that’s really good for us and that works for us.”