Cubs Seek Momentum with Giants Series After Dodging a Sweep
The Chicago Cubs narrowly avoided a sweep by the worst team in the majors, securing a win at Coors Field. They hope this victory can generate much-needed momentum as they face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Entering the series, the Cubs are just one game above .500, tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates for third in the National League Central, and 7.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. Recent games have been a roller coaster, with the Cubs winning 20 of 23 but losing 22 of the last 30.
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Impactful Performance
Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to excel despite a slow start to the season. He entered the series with a 15-game on-base streak. In the last 31 games, Crow-Armstrong boasts a .267/.363/.509 slash line with seven home runs and 16 RBIs, tying Shohei Ohtani with a 1.8 fWAR in the National League over the last month. His strong performance earned him his first NL player of the week award. Crow-Armstrong credits his success to having a clear focus during each at-bat and capitalizing on good pitches.
His walk rate of 9.6% and strikeout rate of 23.7% are promising indicators of his disciplined approach at the plate.
2. Ben Brown: A Standout in the Rotation
Right-handed pitcher Ben Brown has emerged as the Cubs’ best starter this season. Added to the rotation on May 8 due to Matthew Boyd’s knee surgery, Brown has excelled. Heading into Saturday’s game against the Giants, he holds a 1.44 ERA over six starts, with 34 strikeouts, eight walks, and no home runs in 31 1/3 innings. His impressive ERA ranks fifth-lowest in the majors during this period.
“This is often how it happens, with injuries and opportunities,” manager Craig Counsell remarked. “Brown seized the moment and improved himself without losing focus. His performance has been crucial in a difficult month for the Cubs.”
Despite Brown’s success, the rest of the rotation has struggled, with a 6.29 ERA over the past month. Brown is making a strong case for a spot in the upcoming All-Star Game.
3. Lineup Lacks Sufficient Power
For a team to excel offensively, it needs consistent power hitting. Though not limited to home runs, extra-base hits like doubles are vital. The Cubs have fallen short in this regard. Their three-home-run game on Thursday was a first since April 25. Since May 16, during a 10-game skid, their slugging percentage ranks 28th in the league.
Various hitters, including Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner, show subpar statistics during this period. Seiya Suzuki’s grand slam offers minor relief.
“Hitting comes down to capitalizing on pitches,” Counsell explained. “We’ve struggled to hit hard on good pitches. It’s not about chasing mistakes; it’s about making the most of opportunities.”
The Cubs aim to capture this offensive potential in their upcoming games.