Cubs' Offense Frozen Solid: Can They Thaw Against the Cardinals?

This Cubs Offense is Colder Than a Chicago Winter!

The Cubs' bats have gone as cold as a deep-dish pizza left out in January. That’s the #1 reason I moved to a warmer climate. After a promising start, our Cubbies have hit a serious slump, playing like a team of retired 16” softball veterans. Since the Houston series that started on April 22nd, the team's record is a mediocre 14-14, and the offense is sputtering. Seiya Suzuki's swings look more like a gentle breeze than a competitive cut. Let's dig into the numbers from April 22nd to May 22nd to see just how frigid things have gotten at the plate.

The Ice Age Continues for Cubs Hitters

Key Takeaway: The Cubs' offense is struggling across the board, with most hitters performing well below league average.

It’s been tough to watch the Cubs at the plate lately. Over the past month, our hitters have collectively decided to take a sabbatical from hitting. Let's break down the dismal numbers:

• Miguel Amaya: Batting a frigid .123 with an OPS of .391. That's not just a slump; it's an abyss.

• Yan Gomes: Slightly better but still chilling at .188 with an OPS of .487.

• Seiya Suzuki: Since returning from the IL on May 11, he's hitting .150 with an OPS of .472. His swings look like he's trying to swat a mosquito with a feather.

• Ian Happ: Batting .196 with an OPS of .585. The once-reliable bat has gone silent.

• Dansby Swanson: Struggling with a .194 average and a .560 OPS. I expected from our star shortstop.

While there are a few bright spots, like Cody Bellinger batting .286 with an impressive .881 OPS, and Patrick Wisdom at .286 with a .918 OPS (albeit in a small sample size), these are the exceptions rather than the rule. Most of the lineup is underperforming compared to league averages of .240 and .699 OPS.

If the Cubs want to turn this season around, they need to heat up at the plate. The weather’s warming up; let’s hope the bats follow suit.

Wind or No Wind, Cubs Struggle to Score!

Despite some bright moments, the Cubs' offense couldn't consistently produce against the Braves' strong pitching.

The Cubs faced off against the Braves at Wrigley, and it was a rollercoaster series. Here's the breakdown:

Game 1: The wind was blowing out, but the Cubs managed only 4 runs. Luckily, the Braves were worse, and Nico Hoerner’s walk-off infield single in extra innings gave us a 4-3 win. Dansby Swanson and Nico’s return were highlights, but the offense still struggled, especially with runners in scoring position (RISP).

Game 2: This one was painful. After hanging in for six innings, the game fell apart, and the Braves routed us 9-2. Max Fried was nearly untouchable, carrying a no-hitter into the 6th. Justin Steele pitched well until the 7th when the Braves' bats came alive. Porter Hodge’s debut was a silver lining, with a solid 9th inning.

Game 3: Another rough outing, losing 3-0. The Cubs' bats were silent again, managing just one hit off Ozzie Albies' lost pop-up. Ben Brown’s 4 shutout innings were impressive, but Kyle Hendricks struggled, giving up 2 runs in the 8th. The Braves’ pitching staff dominated throughout the series.

The series highlighted our offensive struggles, with bright spots from Swanson and Hoerner's return, and promising young pitchers like Brown and Hodge. However, if we want to compete, we need more consistency at the plate.

Can the Cubs Cool Down the Red-Hot Cardinals?"

The Cubs face a tough challenge against a surging Cardinals team that has been dominant in all facets of the game.

The Cubs are set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals, who are entering the series on a hot streak, having won 8 of their last 10 games. The Cardinals have been firing on all cylinders, sweeping the Orioles and winning 2 of 3 against the Red Sox. Here’s a look at the pitching matchups:

• Friday: Shota Imanaga (5-0, 0.84 ERA) vs. Miles Mikolas (3-5, 5.77 ERA)

• Saturday: Jameson Taillon (3-2, 2.20 ERA) vs. Matthew Liberatore (1-2, 5.40 ERA)

• Sunday: Javier Assad (4-0, 1.70 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (6-2, 2.87 ERA)

Key Takeaways about the Cardinals:

• Bullpen Strength: Their bullpen has been lights out, allowing just one earned run in the last 11.1 innings.

• Offensive Surge: Since May 12th, the Cardinals' offense has been among the best in baseball.

• Improved Defense: The Cardinals' defense has transformed from a weakness to a strength.

The Cubs will need to get their head out of their A and bring the A-game to compete with the surging Cardinals. St Louis to me is what Green Bay is to a Chicago Bears Superfan. They make my skin crawl.

The Closer

As the Cubs wrap up a challenging series against the Braves and gear up for the red-hot Cardinals, there's no sugar-coating it: we need to find our groove at the plate. Our hitters have been colder than a Chicago winter, but with Swanson and Hoerner back, there's hope for a turnaround. Let's channel some of that 2016 magic and give the Cardinals a run for their money. Until next time, keep the faith, Cubs fans, and let's make some noise for our boys in blue! Share your thoughts on the series and predictions for the Cardinals matchup. Go Cubs Go!