Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell attempted to reinvigorate his team, which has experienced a lackluster offense over the past two weeks. Prior to Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field, Counsell altered the lineup. He rested Ian Happ, the longest-tenured player, amid his struggles and kept some newly promoted prospects on the bench for the game’s start. Despite these changes, the Cubs fell 3-0, marking their seventh consecutive loss and 11th defeat in 13 games. This stretch includes five straight series losses.
Lineup Adjustments
After the loss, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Saturday’s leadoff hitter, commented on the lineup adjustments. “I appreciate Counsell’s willingness to shake it up a little bit,” he said, highlighting the need for improvement. Counsell seemed to prepare for changes after Friday’s loss, noting the urgency. The lineup saw Nico Hoerner move from his usual leadoff position to fourth, a first for the season. Meanwhile, Crow-Armstrong led off for the first time this year, and Michael Conforto replaced Happ in left field, batting fifth.
Challenges Persist
Counsell aimed for a shake-up, believing it could provide a fresh perspective for the players. However, the offensive struggles continued. The Cubs managed only three hits, had no chances with runners in scoring position, and advanced just one runner past first base. While Friday’s game presented opportunities with nine plate appearances with runners in scoring position, Saturday lacked such chances. Christian Walker’s two home runs against starter Colin Rea left the Cubs trailing 3-0 by the third inning.
Counsell acknowledged the pitching effort: “Anytime you get seven innings from your starter, you’re in pretty good shape,” but noted the offensive issues. The revamped lineup’s first eight batters failed to record a hit though walks were drawn by Hoerner and Moisés Ballesteros. Dansby Swanson managed the first hit with a pop-up in the third, advancing to third with a Crow-Armstrong single, but attempts to score were thwarted.
Looking Ahead
Despite the struggles, Counsell and the Cubs remain optimistic about overcoming the slump. “We’ve struggled as a team for two weeks, and while frustrating, it’s still two weeks,” he said. The team maintains belief in their abilities, even during challenging periods.
Beyond lineup changes, the Cubs also adjusted their roster. Outfielder Kevin Alcántara was called up from Triple-A Iowa, while infielder Nicky Lopez was designated for assignment. Pedro Ramírez also joined, stepping in after Matt Shaw’s injury. Both Alcántara and Ramírez participated as pinch hitters, with Alcántara striking out and Ramírez grounding out.
Despite roster and lineup shifts, players understand that performance is key to ending the slump. Crow-Armstrong feels confident in the team’s approach, saying, “This just happens in baseball where teams have dry spells.” The confidence lies in maintaining their work and trusting their processes.
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