Chicago Cubs no longer dominating, but trying to survive

After a start by the Chicago Cubs that had many comparing them to some of the greatest teams in history, injuries have taken their toll as well as a regression to the mean, leaving the team fighting mediocrity with players injured and new names trying to carry the torch.

Since the start of this season, there was hope in Chicago. The Chicago Cubs were finally going to turn the corner. A team built for the long haul and not a “one and done”. Depending how you look at it the start they had–at least for the fans–may have been the worst thing that could have happened. Many were elevated to a place of expectation they had never experienced as a fan, and now that the team is struggling? Well, the sky is apparently falling.

With the schedule putting the Cubs in 24 straight days of games before the break, and a number of injuries the team has dealt with so far–while most, not season threatening–they’re enough to put Cubs manager Joe Maddon in a difficult spot. Kyle Schwarber was lost for the season. But they’ve also lost Miguel Montero, Tommy La Stella, Jorge Soler, Dexter Fowler and Clayton Richard to the stints on the disabled list. Anthony Rizzo has battled some back issues, and now Montero and Ben Zobrist are banged up from day-to-day injuries.

The thing about this is, the Cubs aren’t the only team dealing with injuries. The depth of the organization is showing, but that depth is very young. The players replacing them–guys like Willson Contreras and Albert Almora, Jr. are talented, but still very raw. They can’t be held to the same expectation as the players they are replacing, at least not yet.

But none of this means the Cubs are “done”, or that they’ll need to trade several players to fix in-house issues. This is just a short span of games in a long season of them. Remember when the White Sox and Cubs were destined to meet in the World Series this year? Now Robin Ventura is managing for his job. The struggling Dodgers are no longer struggling, and the Cleveland Indians are a threat over in the AL Central. Point is, these teams weren’t highly regarded all season or considered failures at times–and that’s just how baseball is.

For giggles, go back and read my post from last year after the Cubs had been no-hit and swept by the Philadelphia Phillies. I didn’t have a rosy outlook. Most fans didn’t either. At that point, the Cubs were 51-46. They currently have 48 wins. Folks, it’s going to be alright.

Everyone was talking about the possibility of the Cubs winning 110+ games, now they need to trade everyone, bench everyone, etc. Look, with that record last year, the Cubs won 97 games. 97. And they have a slight jump on that this year. So let’s just pump the brakes a little bit with the “chicken little” act on social media. Things are tough right now, the Cubs will push through.

Next: Trades for the Cubs that make sense?

The Cubs may or may not end up with one of the coveted bullpen arms from the Yankees–but hey, last year out trade deadline haul was Tommy Hunter and Dan Haren. And they won 97 games. Deep breath. Keep calm and Woosah.