The Chicago Cubs are striving to regain their footing amid a challenging period. While the season has taken a downward turn over the last two weeks, players remain committed to retaining a positive mindset. Their recent difficulties are not seen as definitive, and the team believes a reversal of fortune is possible.
The Cubs have faced significant setbacks, including a 2-1 defeat against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. This marks their ninth consecutive loss and 13 losses in their last 15 games. Despite impressive performances, like right-hander Ben Brown’s six-inning start allowing just one run, the team struggles to close games.
Manager Craig Counsell has experimented with different lineups to revive the offense. Pete Crow-Armstrong, for example, has demonstrated solid performance as a leadoff batter. Though he hit the ball well, his efforts yielded no runs. In attempts to manage mental and physical fatigue, Ian Happ rested during the last two games against Houston. Shortstop Dansby Swanson took a break on Sunday, while Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki sat out Monday’s game but played as pinch hitters in the ninth.
The team’s overall batting average during this difficult stretch stands at .178, currently the lowest in the league. Counsell emphasized the importance of improvement across the board, noting, “We’ve got to swing the bats better, we’ve got to pitch better.” In the second inning against Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski, a rare opportunity arose. Ramirez, Ballesteros, and Amaya loaded the bases, yet Swanson couldn’t capitalize, striking out to end the inning.
Michael Busch provides a ray of hope amid the slump, achieving a 138 wRC+ over the past 15 games. His game-tying home run was a highlight in Monday’s tight contest. Busch underscores a simplified approach, urging focus on quality at-bats and consistency.
Amid challenges, Ben Brown has been a standout in his new rotation role. Following Matthew Boyd’s surgery, Brown has maintained a 1.89 ERA across four starts, showcasing his skill with 23 strikeouts in 19 innings. Despite a setback in the third inning, where Brandon Lowe scored off a double following a walk, Brown settled in to retire most batters subsequently.
The Cubs now look to left-hander Jordan Wicks for Tuesday’s game, eager to halt their losing streak. Despite adversity, Brown praised the team’s talent and camaraderie, expressing confidence in their ability to overcome the current slump. He noted, “We’ve got to play with freedom. We can’t play locked up both sides of the ball. There’s tons of games where hitters pick us up and vice versa.”