Chicago Cubs Experience Unpredictable Season with Streaks

The Chicago Cubs in the 2026 season are demonstrating unusually volatile performance. Approaching June, their record shows two 10-game winning streaks and one 10-game losing skid. Entering a game at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs stood at 31-27.

Early in the season, the Cubs averaged .261 in batting with a .780 OPS, scoring 5.5 runs and 1.4 home runs per game. Recently, those numbers dropped, with May statistics showing .213 in batting, a .656 OPS, 4.0 runs, and 0.9 home runs per game.

It’s just a weird thing, said manager Craig Counsell on Saturday.

Interestingly, the Cubs started May with a 10-game win streak, scoring 59 runs, but followed with a losing streak where they scored just 25 runs, with four games held to one or no runs.

Ian Happ personifies this inconsistency. He recently hit 7-for-15 with three home runs and 10 RBIs over three games, following a 27-game stretch hitting .172 with three home runs, 7 RBIs, and 42 strikeouts.

It’s the confounding part about baseball, Counsell said. He emphasized accepting such streaks within the sport.

When asked about the future, Craig Counsell expressed uncertainty about the team’s rollercoaster season, noting that baseball inherently has unpredictable elements.

Significant Contributions from Ben Brown

Pitcher Ben Brown, starting on Saturday night, has proven to be highly effective, with a 1.89 ERA in his last four starts. He has added a sinker and a changeup to his repertoire, contributing to his success and confidence on the mound.

He’s absolutely made a lot of his opportunity, Counsell stated, though didn’t confirm a permanent spot for Brown in the rotation.

Last season’s experience, including being placed on the postseason roster, motivated Brown significantly, driving him to improve and compete for a lasting role.

Fan Excitement: The “Tarps Off” Phenomenon

The Cardinals’ fan section, known as “Tarps Off,” has become a sensation where young men wave their shirts in the right-field bleachers. This was embraced humorously by Counsell and led to the Cardinals monetizing the trend with branded towels and potential sponsorship plans.

It’s basically a harmless thing, remarked Counsell about the trend’s origins.

Historical Rivalry: Cubs vs. Cardinals

The Cubs and Cardinals have a long history, playing their 2,528th match. A notable past event occurred on June 5, 2011, when Cubs closer Carlos Marmol blew a save, prompting pitcher Carlos Zambrano’s famous words, We stinks.