Chicago Cubs: Struggling with runners in scoring position

The Chicago Cubs are still the best in baseball, but there’s always something you can pick at. For the Cubs? Runners in scoring position–and leaving them there–has been an issue. The Cubs have to find a way to bring runners around before we get to October.

Look, I realize it’s nitpicking. The Chicago Cubs have won 90 games. They appear to be on their way to home-field advantage through the National League Playoffs. So why bother? Because as the playoffs approach, the Cubs need to make adjustments to the issues that other teams might expose.

It’s been a sporadic issue for the Cubs, so there’s no guarantee that it will be one come playoff time. And the good news is they’ve split the last two games with the Houston Astros. The bad news? The Cubs were 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position. It took a two-run home run from Kris Bryant to generate any offense. Bunting a runner over. Going the other way to advance him. Not swinging for the fences when at the plate. It’s not just one player. As a whole, it’s been a concern for the entire team.

It’s an issue that we have all seen throughout the season. It seems to come in streaks, and never seems to linger too long. So while it might be easy to say it’s a “non-issue”, if it happens for just a few games in the NLDS? That’s a few games too many. The Cubs have power up and down the lineup, and the pitching to help suppress the other team’s offense. Just like Friday against the Astros, they can survive it.

But counting on home runs is never a smart play. And the Astros pitching staff isn’t one of the best these days. It’s a bit of a hodge-podge due to injuries. But they managed just two hits. That isn’t going to cut it in the playoffs.

Next: Cubs made the right move with Bryant

This is in no way an assumption that the Cubs can’t win in the playoffs. Or a knock that this is a trend that will continue. But it’s one that has reared it’s head a few times this year and the Cubs will need to make adjustments to avoid it in October.