The Chicago Cubs find themselves at a critical juncture as they aim to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon. With their season teetering on the brink, the Cubs are desperate for a turnaround, battling both injuries and inconsistent performances.
Injury Woes: Assad Hits the IL
One of the key setbacks for the Cubs is the loss of Javier Assad, who has landed on the injured list due to a forearm extensor strain. Assad has been a standout performer for the Cubs, boasting a 2.2 WAR, the highest on the team. His absence is a significant blow, given his 4-3 record and a solid 3.04 ERA over 83 innings this season.
Assad's injury comes at an inopportune time as the team grapples with its performance on the mound. In May, Assad was a force to be reckoned with, posting a 2.27 ERA. However, his form dipped in June with a 0-2 record and a 5.49 ERA, suggesting that the strain may have been affecting his performance even before he was officially sidelined.
Pitching Performances: A Mixed Bag
On the pitching front, the Cubs have seen a mixture of promising performances and troubling inconsistencies. Shota Imanaga has been a beacon of hope with an impressive 0.84 ERA through nine starts. Similarly, Jameson Taillon has been reliable, maintaining a 2.90 ERA. Justin Steele has also been effective, with a 3.08 ERA over 11 starts, providing some stability in the rotation.
The contributions from Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks have also been positive, showing that there is depth and potential in the pitching staff. However, these bright spots have not been enough to lift the Cubs out of their current slump.
Offensive Struggles: Underwhelming Stats
Offensively, the Cubs have struggled to gain traction. They rank 11th in the National League in runs scored, 12th in batting average, and 12th in slugging. Surprisingly, they rank 8th in on-base percentage, indicating that while they can get runners on base, they often fail to bring them home.
This inefficiency has been a thorn in the Cubs' side, exacerbating their struggles in close games. The bullpen has taken 22 losses and blown 17 saves this season, underscoring the challenges in converting leads into victories.
Defensive Concerns
Defensively, the Cubs are below par, adding to their woes. The team's overall defensive efficiency is suboptimal, and they find themselves in the bottom third in defensive runs saved. Additionally, they are nearly at the bottom in total zone runs, indicating significant gaps in their defensive performance.
A Rollercoaster Season
The season started with promise, as the Cubs sprinted to a 17-9 record. However, the early surge has been followed by a dramatic downturn. Since that strong start, the team has posted a 20-35 record, accompanied by a disappointing -58 run differential. This slide has anchored the Cubs in last place within their division, with a 37-44 record.
As the Chicago Cubs look to avoid a sweep by the San Francisco Giants, the challenges they face are multifaceted. The loss of key players like Javier Assad, coupled with inconsistent performances and defensive shortcomings, paints a challenging picture for the rest of the season. The team must rally quickly to turn their fortunes around and salvage what remains of a tumultuous campaign.