Struggling Chicago Cubs Offense Must Get Going, But How?
The Chicago Cubs arrived in Washington, D.C., with a lot of confidence and a powerful offense.
They left reeling, having dropped three of four to the Washington Nationals.
The Cubs have averaged 3.5 runs per game and hit .180 with runners in scoring position over their past 12 games. They’ve gone 3-9 during that stretch.
Chicago will now host the Miami Marlins for three games. It wasn’t that long ago that the Cubs were swept in Miami.
“[Thursday] was a tough loss, for sure,” manager David Ross said following a 4-3 setback to the Nationas. “Definitely a tough loss. But this group's shown they don't quit. They fight really hard.”
The Cubs have no choice but to fight really hard.
Reports have stated that top prospect Matt Mervis is set to join the club.
Go up and down the lineup and the Cubs feature plenty of talent.
But during the course of a marathon 162-game regular season, even the likes of Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner will go through slumps.
It’s about limiting the losing streaks.
“These are definitely the moments that test teams,” right-hander Jameson Taillon told reporters. “But I think it helps that we’ve had a lot of guys who have run the race of 162 for many, many years. You know that these types of tough losses happen and you don't want to overreact. Obviously, it's not time to hit the panic button or anything. But I think we’re going home with maybe a sense of urgency, like, ‘Let's step on it a little bit, get back on track.'”
That’s the goal. Getting a win over the Marlins in the series opener would be a major confidence boost.
More From SI's Inside The Cubs
- Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Chicago Cubs?
- Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
- Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
- Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
- Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
- Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
- Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
- Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
- Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
- Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field