Cubs offense struggling without Bellinger, Suzuki |
The Cubs are 21-15, tied for tops in the NL Central, despite an offense that has underperformed as of late.
Showcased by Monday’s 6-3 loss, the Cubs had loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning as they trailed by three. Three batters later, the game went to the ninth with the score unchanged. The Cubs were 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving ten on base in the loss. But it doesn’t stop there. The Cubs are hitting just .236 with runners in scoring position this season. Cubs were 2-for-8 with RISP on Sunday, 1-for-9 on Saturday, 0-for-5 Friday, 4-for-19 Thursday, 0-for-7 Wednesday, 0-for-7 Tuesday, 1-for-5 on Monday. That’s a small sample size, but the results speak for themselves. The Cubs have struggled to put runs on the board. The Cubs averaged 5.4 runs per game until April 23rd—just 3.4 runs per game since. The Cubs have been without both Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki since that fateful April 23rd date — and the offense has gone on tough times since. Since their absences, Ian Happ has been in the No. 3 spot in the lineup, and he is 9-for-45 with zero HRs in the last 13 games. Dansby Swanson, in that same window, is hitting just .182, struggling mightily. Happ and Swanson, who are combined to make almost 50 million per year, have combined for 17 hits and 33 strikeouts in that window. Michael Busch has come on tough times as well. After an impressive start to the season, which included a five-game stretch with a home run in each, Busch is hitting just .196 with just three RBI and no home runs during this stretch. Nico Hoerner and Mike Tauchman have been a decisive 1-2 in the batting order as of late for Craig Counsell — but the Cubs have struggled to plate these runners. Christopher Morel has been the lone source of power for the Cubs lately. The Cubs’ slugger has five home runs in his last eight games, providing the Cubs a bit of run-producing that they’ve been missing. The Cubs’ bullpen has understandably taken a lot of blame and received a lot of flack for some of the Cubs’ losses. Nine of the Cubs’ 15 losses have been worn by Cubs’ relievers — including an NL best (or worst) six blown saves. However, the offense deserves some responsibility for the Cubs' struggles. It’s hard to win games when you score three runs or less, which the Cubs have done seven times in that window. And it’s hard to score runs when your best two hitters are out of the lineup. But hopefully, these tough times won’t last much longer. Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki are progressing well on their returns from injury. Bellinger, who was sidelined with a rib injury, will be in the Cubs lineup tonight. Bellinger will be in the lineup tonight against the San Diego Padres. https://t.co/uMUwkgTo7P Suzuki is progressing a bit slower than Bellinger with his oblique injury. Still, according to reports, he could undergo a rehab assignment in Iowa soon and be back with the big league club this weekend. Seiya Suzuki is on his way to Iowa. He will be there Wednesday/Thursday. The hope is he will be back with the #Cubs Friday or Saturday. What a massive boost to the offense having Bellinger and Suzuki back would be. And boy, do they need it.
