The Chicago Cubs’ remarkable streak of avoiding losing streaks came to an end, putting their wild-card spot in jeopardy. The team had managed to avoid losing more than two consecutive games since July, but their 10-inning defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks halted their two-month stretch of consistency and marked their third consecutive loss to their closest wild-card rival. As a result, they now hold a slim one-game lead over the Diamondbacks for the second spot.
The Cubs’ ability to bounce back and their resilience have been on display throughout the season. Despite facing struggles and challenges earlier in the year, they have proven time and time again their ability to recover. The competitive nature of their games is evident, and they have demonstrated tremendous effort. However, they have been unfortunate in recent outings, failing to secure wins despite the presence of many great players. Shortstop Dansby Swanson remains optimistic and believes that luck will eventually even out.
The Cubs currently trail the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers by four games. While they are not playing poorly, they have struggled to deliver crucial hits when needed, especially against strong opposition pitchers. Against the Diamondbacks, the Cubs only managed to score four runs in a total of 28 innings, wasting excellent performances from their starting pitchers Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele.
In their latest defeat, the Cubs had difficulty capitalizing on scoring opportunities, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Their ineffectiveness was evident in their inability to drive in runners, leaving a total of 10 baserunners stranded. While they had chances to turn the game around, especially in the sixth inning with the bases loaded, Ryan Thompson forced Yan Gomes to fly out. Furthermore, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s impeccable defensive play robbed the Cubs of key hits, including a leaping catch off Ian Happ in the 10th inning.
The crucial moment of the game came in the 10th inning when a wild pitch allowed the Diamondbacks to take the lead. Rookie Daniel Palencia’s slider got away from him, resulting in the go-ahead run. The Diamondbacks then added another run with Tommy Pham’s RBI single. Although the Cubs managed to score one run in the bottom of the 10th with Cody Bellinger’s RBI single, Swanson fouled out on a popup to the catcher, sealing their defeat.
The Cubs now find themselves at a critical point in the season, with their wild-card spot hanging in the balance. The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are closely following the Diamondbacks for the third wild-card position. Manager David Ross acknowledges that bumps in the road are expected during the course of a season, and he maintains confidence in his team’s ability. However, the Cubs must quickly rectify their shortcomings and find a way to secure wins in order to solidify their position in the playoffs.
In conclusion, the Chicago Cubs’ impressive streak of avoiding losing streaks has come to an end, placing their wild-card spot in jeopardy. Despite their resilience and effort, they have struggled to deliver key hits when needed, resulting in losses to their rivals. With the wild-card race heating up, the Cubs must find a way to regain their winning form and secure their spot in the postseason. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining their fate.
