Cubs Struggle as Season Slips Away
The Chicago Cubs find themselves at a pivotal juncture in their season, poised to avoid a four-game sweep by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon. What once seemed like a promising campaign has quickly devolved into a series of setbacks, both on and off the field.
One of the most significant blows to the Cubs comes in the form of Javier Assad's absence. The pitcher has been placed on the injured list due to a forearm extensor strain, sidelining the team's top performer. With a team-leading WAR of 2.2, a 4-3 record, and a 3.04 ERA over 83 innings, Assad's injury couldn't have come at a worse time. His outstanding May performance, which saw an ERA of 2.27, now contrasts sharply with his struggles in June (0-2 record, 5.49 ERA).
The Cubs' pitching woes don’t end there. Despite strong contributions from Shota Imanaga, who boasts a commendable 0.84 ERA through nine starts, and Jameson Taillon's solid 2.90 ERA, the team's mound woes are compounded by inconsistencies from other pitchers. Justin Steele's 3.08 ERA over 11 starts has been another positive, yet not enough to lift the team from its current predicament. Further support from pitchers like Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks hasn't been sufficient to counteract the broader issues.
Offensively, the Cubs have been far from spectacular. Ranking 11th in the National League in runs scored and 12th in batting average, their lineup has often failed to deliver in clutch moments. Despite performing better in on-base percentage, where they rank 8th, the Cubs' slugging percentage places them 12th, highlighting their difficulties in converting base runners into runs.
But perhaps the most glaring Achilles' heel for the Cubs lies in their bullpen. With 22 losses and 17 blown saves this season, late-game collapses have become an all-too-common theme. The club's overall defensive efficiency is also below average, and they rank in the bottom third in defensive runs saved, painting a troubling picture of a team struggling to make fundamental plays. Moreover, the Cubs find themselves nearly at the bottom in total zone runs, indicating widespread defensive struggles.
Beginning the season with an impressive 17-9 start, hopes were high for a resurgence. However, the Cubs have since accumulated a dismal 20-35 record coupled with a -58 run differential. At 37-44, they now languish in last place within their division, a fall from grace that underscores the challenges they face moving forward.
The road ahead for the Cubs requires a dramatic turnaround, and time is not on their side. As they aim to avoid another defeat against the Giants, the team—and its fans—can only hope that the pieces of this fractured season can somehow be put back together before it's too late.