Cubs Face Challenges with Pitching and Playoff Positioning

The Chicago Cubs are encountering difficulties with their pitching staff, particularly with right-hander Kevin Gausman, whose performance has varied greatly since his acquisition. At times, Gausman has demonstrated why he was brought in to strengthen the rotation, but on other occasions, such as Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, he has struggled. The Brewers scored seven runs (six earned) against him, creating a six-run deficit after just two innings. Despite a late effort resulting in a five-run ninth inning, the Cubs lost 8-6, completing a sweep by the Brewers.

Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the team’s need to improve across all areas, citing a defensive error and bullpen issues as contributing factors. Gausman has struggled in three of his seven starts with the Cubs, allowing five or more earned runs, yet he has also achieved quality starts in another three games. Christian Yelich’s first-inning three-run home run and additional home runs from Jackson Chourio and William Contreras highlighted the challenges Gausman faced.

“I just need to pitch better,” Gausman said. “Execution is key.”

With a four-game losing streak and a once-secure playoff position now under threat, the Cubs are in a precarious spot. They are currently in the second wild-card position, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by 1 1/2 games and ahead of the San Diego Padres by 2 1/2 games. Their recent slump has seen them lose 16 of their last 26 games, though they hold tiebreakers over key teams.

Cubs players, including Ian Happ, recognize the urgency of the situation. With 15 games left, including series against other playoff-contending teams, the Cubs must focus on strong performances to secure a postseason berth.

Bullpen Woes and Adjustments

Cubs bullpen issues have been highlighted by the struggles of Jacob Webb, whose effective streak ended with several blown games. Additionally, Daniel Palencia’s return from the injured list has not been smooth, further complicating the bullpen’s effectiveness. Counsell pointed out that, despite Webb’s previous success, the bullpen lacks set roles, which has led to challenges.

This lack of structure was evident in recent games where starters were pushed to their limits, yet bullpen failures still resulted in losses. Counsell acknowledged the importance of impactful bullpen performances as the Cubs navigate their remaining games.

Home Run Troubles

The Cubs lead MLB in home runs conceded, a distinction that hampers their efforts despite their strong offensive performance. Gausman’s three home runs allowed against the Brewers add to this concern. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer highlighted the need to address this ongoing issue.

Although the rotation includes pitchers with groundball-inducing capabilities, the prevalence of home runs remains a significant challenge. Gausman expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome these hurdles, emphasizing the need for resilience.