Counsell Tries New Lineup as Cubs Seek to Overcome Struggles

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell attempted a fresh approach to revive his team’s lackluster performance. Before Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field, Counsell adjusted the lineup, gave Ian Happ a break due to his recent difficulties, and kept some new prospects on the bench. Despite these changes, the result mirrored previous games, with the Cubs losing 3-0, marking their seventh consecutive defeat and eleventh out of the last thirteen games. This streak included dropping five series in a row.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, the leadoff hitter that day, commented on the changes, saying, “I appreciate (Counsell’s) willingness to shake it up a little bit, and he’s got a good lineup to do that with. Wherever I fall in the lineup, wherever anybody falls in the lineup, we’re just looking to capitalize a little bit better than we’ve been doing.”

Saturday’s game saw Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong being consoled by Counsell after striking out in the ninth inning. Counsell had hinted at lineup modifications after Friday’s loss to Houston, admitting that adjustments were needed. The changes included placing Nico Hoerner, who often led off, in the fourth position and having Crow-Armstrong lead off for the first time that season. Michael Conforto replaced Ian Happ in left field and batted fifth.

Before the game, Counsell explained the rationale, “Shake-up was probably the thing we were after. What you’re doing when you do that is you’re just giving guys a different look in terms of when they’re going up there. Not a lot of thought.” Yet, the offense remained ineffective. The Cubs registered only three hits, with no at-bats with runners in scoring position. Only once did a baserunner advance past first base.

Friday’s loss saw the Cubs failing to hit with runners in scoring position despite nine opportunities, stranding eleven runners. On Saturday, even fewer chances existed. Christian Walker’s two home runs against starter Colin Rea provided the Astros with an early lead that seemed challenging to overcome. Counsell reflected, “Anytime you get seven innings from your starter, you’re thinking you’re in pretty good shape. But right now, what we’re doing offensively, it’s too much.”

The reconfigured lineup saw the first eight batters going hitless. Hoerner and designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros managed to draw walks but couldn’t move past first. Dansby Swanson managed the Cubs’ initial hit with a pop-up in the third inning, followed by a Crow-Armstrong single. However, Crow-Armstrong’s attempt to steal ended the inning, quelling any scoring opportunity.

Despite these setbacks, Counsell and the team remain optimistic. Counsell stated, “The challenge is to stay with that stuff when you’re not getting results. We’ve struggled as a team for two weeks, and while frustrating, it’s still two weeks. We’re going to come out of this. It’s going to be fine. We’re a good baseball team. It’s all going to happen, but while you go through it, you’ve got to sit in some discomfort with it, and that doesn’t feel good.”

Additional changes included the recall of outfielder Kevin Alcántara from Triple-A Iowa and the designation of infielder Nicky Lopez for assignment. This followed the call-up of infield prospect Pedro Ramírez due to Matt Shaw’s placement on the injured list. Alcántara and Ramírez both entered as pinch hitters during the game but could not deliver significant results.

Alcántara expressed before the game, “Honestly, I’m going to be ready for any moment that they give me an opportunity to help the team. Not just doing something on the field, but any personal motivation in the clubhouse and supporting them as much as I can because we’re all one team and we have to help each other.”

The Cubs recognize that beyond lineup shifts and roster moves, their performance on the field is crucial. Crow-Armstrong remarked, “I don’t really think there’s many adjustments that need to be made from anybody’s process or swing or anything like that. This just happens in baseball where teams have dry spells, and it’s kind of hard to explain when you look at a roster like this and a lineup like this. I can’t speak for everybody, but I would guess everybody finds peace in just showing up and doing their work and knowing that, most of the time, that’s really good for us and that works for us.”