Cubs Seek Momentum as Challenges Persist

The Chicago Cubs are aiming to build momentum as they begin their series against the San Francisco Giants after narrowly avoiding a sweep by the league’s lowest-ranked team at Coors Field. The Cubs, maintaining a record just above .500, are in a tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates for third in the National League Central, lagging behind the leading Milwaukee Brewers by 7½ games. This season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows for the Cubs who have lost 22 of their last 30 games after winning 20 of 23 games.

1. Crow-Armstrong’s Consistent Performance

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a bright spot amid recent struggles. Despite a slow start, he has achieved a 15-game on-base streak. In his last 31 games, he posted a .267/.363/.509 slash line and a 145 wRC+ with seven home runs, five doubles, and 16 RBIs. His performance, tied with Shohei Ohtani’s for top in the National League, earned him the NL Player of the Week honor. Crow-Armstrong maintains a walk rate of 9.6% and a strikeout rate of 23.7%, highlighting his patient and focused approach at the plate.

“Knowing exactly what I want to do each at-bat,” Crow-Armstrong said, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities when they come.

2. Ben Brown: A Pine in a Struggling Rotation

Right-hander Ben Brown stepped up for the Cubs rotation, becoming the season’s standout pitcher. He assumed a starting role on May 8 following Matthew Boyd’s knee surgery. Brown boasts a 1.44 ERA over six starts with 34 strikeouts, eight walks, and no home runs allowed over 31 1/3 innings. This achievement ranks him fifth in lowest ERAs among his peers, trailing only top pitchers like the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski (0.23) and the Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez (0.60).

This success is “what you talk about with injuries and opportunities” as explained by Manager Counsell. He noted that Brown seized the opportunity and continued improving, becoming integral to the team.

Brown stands as a potential All-Star Game representative amid a difficult month for the Cubs where their rotation holds a 6.29 ERA, the second-worst in the league.

3. Lack of Slugging Power from the Lineup

Power-hitting remains a key aspect of successful offense, and the Cubs are struggling in this department. Their recent three-home run game marked the first since April 25. Since May 16, during a 10-game losing streak, the Cubs have ranked 28th in slugging percentage (.364) ahead of the Kansas City Royals (.361) and San Diego Padres (.354). The team’s isolated power (ISO) stands at .141, placing them 27th.

Key players like Dansby Swanson, with a wRC+ of 46 and .242 SLG, and Nico Hoerner, with a 64 wRC+ and .247 SLG, show areas needing improvement. Even Seiya Suzuki, despite a grand slam, has a 64 wRC+ and .330 SLG.

“When you get pitches to hit, those are the ones you’ve got to hit hard,” Manager Counsell noted. “We haven’t done that enough. You need to execute on the pitches you get.”