Cubs bats are showing signs of life even as the team struggles to stay in the hunt for the NL Central title. It’s been a May to forget for Chicago’s Northsiders. The Cubs have a 10-17 record going into the month’s final game against the Cincinnati Reds. But there are hopeful signs the Cubs are starting to get back to early-season form at the plate. Although there is room for improvement, the club is getting some much-needed slug out of its lineup.
Lately Hitting For Power
In the past week, Cubs hitters have turned to the long ball to produce runs. Suzuki, Morel, Happ, Bellinger, and Busch have at least one HR in the last seven games for Chicago. All but Morel (.507) has an OPS over .700. The standout of that group is Ian Happ, who has been in a terrible funk lately. But the Cubs all-star left fielder broke out with 3 HR, 7 RBI, and a .1047 OPS. That included a run-scoring double and homers from the plate’s right and left sides.
Cody Bellinger has also been good, with an HR, 4 RBI, and a .871 OPS in his last seven games. Michael Busch improved at the plate with an HR, 3 RBI, and a .762 OPS over that stretch. Busch’s numbers have improved throughout the 2024 campaign this year as he looks to cement his name at 1B.
Still Nursing A May Hangover
But if the Cubs leave their recent hitting doldrums behind, they will need more timely hitting. Over this stretch, the Cubs went just 9-50 with RISP and 50 LOB. Injuries and competence are the two most essential culprits holding down the club’s lineup this year. The return of Suzuki and Bellinger to the lineup should help, but the Cubs need better situational hitting.
Journeyman outfielder Mike Tauchman (.366/.374/.760 OPS) has been the Cubs leading table setter this season. Tauchman currently ranks 20 in the MLB in OBP. But the Cubs will have to figure out how to score to find a better balance between offense and defense. Christopher Morel, Nico Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson have continued their offensive struggles. Morel suffers most from a lack of situational hitting competence among the three. He has replaced Javier Baez as the team’s most fun and, at times, cringe-worthy player.
As the season progressed, Swanson’s hitting only regressed. No player in the Cubs lineup this year appears more lost at the plate. For this team to function offensively, Swanson’s bat will be needed. Hoerner is a different story. His approach at the plate is never questioned, and his bat-to-ball skills are elite. This season, he is second on the Cubs in OBP (.344) and has the fewest SO (22). But the Cubs could use more slug out of their gold-glove second baseman going forward.
The Key To (Baseball) Life Is Balance
The Cubs struggle to find the right balance as they enter the middle third of the season. Starting pitching has been excellent, and the defensive outfield and middle infield are starting to perform to expectations. The Cubs bullpen is still reeling from injuries. For the moment, this means that team hitting, and especially situational hitting, will have to improve. Giving their starters an early lead, more often than not, is always a winning recipe. But it’s nearly a necessity when your late-inning relief is struggling.
This imbalance has seen the Cubs continue to fall in the standings. St. Louis has been the division’s hottest team over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, division leader Milwaukee continues its steady play. The Cardinals and the Brewers appear to be more balanced teams to this point in the season. This is a familiar tune to Cubs fans who have been looking up at Milwaukee in the standings for the past several years. There is still time to make a run, of course. But the Cubs must find their balance to give the top teams something to think about.
Main Photo Credits: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
