The Cubs are 29-18 and in first place, but one short slump has the Brewers series carrying real weight
Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images The Chicago Cubs remain at the top of the NL Central, but their weekend against the White Sox left them with a clear warning before the Brewers visit Wrigley Field. The Cubs lost two out of three in the Crosstown Classic, finishing the series with a 9-8 defeat in 10 innings on Sunday. Chicago are still 29-18, which matters.
But they are also 2-6 since May 9, and the timing of this wobble makes the Brewers series feel more important. Cubs missed too many chances against the White Sox Sunday’s loss was not down to just one moment. Michael Conforto gave the Cubs hope with a three-run homer in the ninth inning, before Ryan Rolison surrendered the walk-off two-run shot in the 10th.
That was the final image, but the bigger issue had already been building throughout the game. The Cubs went 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base. That cannot carry over into a divisional matchup against Milwaukee.
The Cubs had already seen the White Sox hit five home runs in the 8-3 defeat on Saturday, which made Sunday’s missed chances even more costly. Chicago needs more from established players The uncomfortable part for the Cubs is that this is not about young players learning on the job. Chicago needs more from the players expected to separate them from the rest of the division.
Alex Bregman’s overall line sits at . 259/. 346/.