The Chicago Cubs are facing a pressing juncture in their season as they prepare to avoid a four-game sweep by the San Francisco Giants this Thursday afternoon. The team’s struggles have been compounded by the recent news of Javier Assad hitting the injured list due to a forearm extensor strain. It’s a significant blow given that Assad has posted the highest WAR on the team at 2.2.
Assad's contributions this season have been noteworthy. With a 4-3 record and a 3.04 ERA accumulated over 83 innings, his presence on the mound has been formidable. Looking back, May was a standout month for the pitcher, marked by an impressive 2.27 ERA. However, June revealed its share of challenges as Assad posted a 0-2 record with a more daunting 5.49 ERA.
Despite their challenges, the Cubs have had bright spots in their rotation. Shota Imanaga stands out with a stellar 0.84 ERA across nine starts. Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele have also contributed significantly, boasting ERAs of 2.90 and 3.08 over 11 starts, respectively. Additionally, young arms like Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks have positively impacted the team's efforts, offering glimpses of a promising future.
Offensive and Defensive Struggles
Nevertheless, pitching prowess alone hasn't propelled the Cubs to higher standings. Offensively, the statistics highlight the team's mediocrity. Ranking 11th in the National League in runs scored and 12th in both batting average and slugging does not bode well for a team looking to rise in the standings. The slightly better ranking of 8th in on-base percentage suggests sporadic discipline at the plate, but it’s not enough to consistently win ball games.
The bullpen’s performance has further hindered the Cubs’ season. With 22 losses accredited to relievers and 17 blown saves, the later innings have proven to be perilous territory for the team. These shortcomings have often negated strong starts from the rotation, marking a vital area in need of reinforcement.
Defensively, the Cubs’ efficiency is another area of concern. The team finds itself in the bottom third for defensive runs saved and near the bottom in total zone runs. Such metrics paint a picture of a team struggling to prevent runs, a stark contrast to their early-season form when they commenced with a promising 17-9 record.
Season Analysis
Since their early season surge, the Cubs have witnessed a dramatic decline, with a 20-35 record and a -58 run differential over their subsequent games. This fall from grace has stationed them firmly in last place within their division at 37-44. The team's performance swings reflect a combination of inconsistent play, injuries, and underwhelming team stats across several key areas.
The Cubs now find themselves at a crossroads. The absence of Javier Assad and the critical nature of their upcoming games against the San Francisco Giants will test the team’s resilience. The upcoming matchups will provide insight into whether the Cubs can recapture their early-season success or if the trends of recent months will continue to dictate their season's trajectory.
As the Cubs strive for improvement, the onus falls on both the remaining rotation and bullpen to step up, while the offense and defense must find ways to turn around their statistical lows. Addressing these multifaceted challenges will be crucial for the Cubs as they seek to climb out of the divisional basement and restore some of the optimism that accompanied their strong start.