The 2026 Chicago Cubs have experienced dramatic shifts in performance. As of late May, they recorded both two 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak. This left them with a 31-27 record before facing the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

The variability in the team’s hitting has been notable. Early in the season, from March to April, they achieved a batting average of .261 and a .780 OPS, scoring an average of 5.5 runs per game with 1.4 home runs. However, in May, their average dropped to .213 with an OPS of .656, resulting in 4.0 runs and 0.9 home runs per game.

Manager Craig Counsell addressed the streaks, noting, “It’s just a weird thing.” Despite their struggles, the Cubs scored 59 runs during one streak and only 25 in the subsequent losing stretch.

Outfielder Ian Happ exemplified these fluctuations. Recently, Happ hit 7-for-15 with three home runs and 10 RBIs over three games. Prior to this streak, he batted .172, snagging three home runs and seven RBIs over 27 games, while striking out 42 times.

Counsell describes this streakiness as a natural aspect of baseball. Players, including Happ, experience extreme highs and lows, influencing overall team performance. Happ said Friday’s 6-5 loss to the Cardinals showed improvement in their scoring chances, stating that maintaining opportunities is key to future successes.

Pitching Progress

Ben Brown has emerged as a significant contributor to the Cubs’ rotation. With an ERA of 1.89 in his previous four starts, Brown has proven effective. His arsenal now includes a sinker and changeup, complementing his four-seam fastball and knuckle-curve. Counsell noted Brown’s development and confidence, emphasizing the importance of offseason goals and previous experiences, including being on last year’s postseason roster.

Fan Trends and Marketing

Beyond the field, the Cardinals have capitalized on the “Tarps Off” trend, which began with fans waving shirts. Originating organically, it was later embraced by the team’s marketing as a tactic to boost ticket sales amid a planned rebuild. This generated new merchandise and further marketing initiatives, showcasing how fan-driven activities can become commercialized.

Memorable Rivalry Moments

The Cubs and Cardinals’ rivalry reached its 2,528th game on Saturday. A memorable event in the history of this matchup occurred on June 5, 2011, when Cubs pitcher Carlos Marmol gave up a lead, leading Carlos Zambrano to express enduring disappointment with his succinct remark, “We stinks.” This moment resonated deeply with Cubs fans over the years, capturing the essence of their frustrations.