Cubs Face Unpredictable Season with Streaky Performance

The 2026 Chicago Cubs have experienced both highs and lows this season. With June approaching, they hold a record of 31-27, having already completed two 10-game win streaks and one 10-game losing streak. They take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium facing uncertain results.

Inconsistent Performance

The Cubs’ hitting statistics highlight their inconsistency. In March and April, the team’s batting average was .261, posting a .780 OPS, with an average of 5.5 runs and 1.4 home runs per game. In May, their performance dropped to a .213 average, .656 OPS, 4.0 runs, and 0.9 home runs per game.

Manager Craig Counsell describes these fluctuations as peculiar. The start of May included an impressive win streak where they scored 59 runs over 10 games. Yet, a subsequent losing streak saw them tally only 25 runs, with four games yielding one or no runs.

Ian Happ’s Streaky Play

No player has embodied the team’s streakiness more than Ian Happ. He recently went 7-for-15, hitting three home runs and gaining 10 RBIs in three games. This contrasts with his earlier performance of .172, three home runs, and seven RBIs over 27 games, including 42 strikeouts.

Manager Counsell acknowledges the unpredictable nature of baseball, explaining that streaks are part of the game. Happ himself credits seeing the ball well during his recent hot streak. He felt positive after a 6-5 loss to the Cardinals, citing improved scoring opportunities.

Ben Brown’s Rise

Pitcher Ben Brown started the recent game against the Cardinals and has emerged as a leading starter. He boasts a 1.89 ERA over the past four starts. While Counsell has not confirmed his long-term spot in the rotation, he praises Brown’s adaptation and success.

Brown’s improvement arose from adding a sinker and changeup to his repertoire, which already included a four-seam fastball and knuckle curve. These additions have built his confidence following previous struggles.

“The two pitches and the struggles of last year… They all matter,” Counsell explained.

His inclusion in last year’s postseason roster served as further motivation.

Cardinals’ ‘Tarps Off’ Phenomenon

Meanwhile, Cardinals fans have popularized the ‘Tarps Off’ trend, where attendees remove their shirts and wave them during games. Although it began organically, the Cardinals’ management quickly capitalized on it to boost ticket sales amid a challenging team rebuild.

The organization has even produced ‘Tarps Off’ towels, and marketing efforts suggest future promotions involving celebrity appearances or sponsorships.

Remembering Cubs and Cardinals History

The historic rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals continues, with the teams having recently played their 2,528th game. A memorable event from their history occurred on June 5, 2011. Cubs closer Carlos Marmol’s failed lead secured a 3-2 win for the Cardinals, prompting Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano to famously declare, “We stinks.”

This remains a sentiment many Cubs fans understand, capturing the unpredictable nature of baseball.