Cubs Clinch Postseason Berth Amid Struggles as Counsell Calls for Pitching Revival
The Chicago Cubs have officially secured their first postseason appearance since the 2020 season, marking a significant milestone for the franchise. While they may not have been able to catch the Milwaukee Brewers for the division title, the Cubs will represent the National League as one of the Wild Card teams. However, their path to October baseball hasn’t been smooth sailing. Currently mired in a five-game losing streak, the Cubs find themselves in urgent need of momentum as they approach their postseason matchup.
Striving for Improvement
As the regular season winds down, the Cubs have a crucial opportunity to regain their form. They will close out the season with two games against the New York Mets, followed by a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. These matchups could provide the spark needed to reignite the team’s performance.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell addressed the team’s recent struggles in a candid discussion. He emphasized the necessity for improvement, particularly from the pitching staff, which has been underwhelming during this slump. “We got to do things better,” Counsell remarked. “It’s funny how – I always think when you say the ‘energy’ word, you never say: What about pitching? What’s the energy about pitching? We got to pitch better. It’s as simple as that. We haven’t played well enough. Energy, I don’t know. We haven’t played well enough to win a game.”
Impact of Injuries
In addition to their performance woes, the Cubs have felt the absence of key players, specifically Kyle Tucker. After a period on the sidelines, Tucker returned to the team on Tuesday and participated in running drills ahead of their game against the Mets. His return could prove vital as the Cubs look to bolster their lineup before the Wild Card round.
As the Cubs strive to turn their recent fortunes around, the time is now for the team to harness the energy and talent that got them to this point. The upcoming games will not only serve as a final test before the postseason but also as a chance to build the confidence needed to make a deep playoff run.
