Chicago Cubs: It’s taking some time with Chili Davis

The  Chicago Cubs are struggling at the plate as they go scoreless in their first two games of April.  Can Chili Davis find the cure for Chicago’s weak showing at the plate?

I thought the Chicago Cubs were going to get off to a fast start? Pull ahead quickly from the pack this season? That was the plan for the Cubs and the rest of Cubs’ fans around the country. But a 2-3 start isn’t what the Cubs had in mind. And as far as the fast start?

That’s what Chili Davis told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"‘‘We’re five games into the season. We’re hoping for a fast start. It can still happen if we get some guys locked in. We’ll see where we go.”More from Cubbies CribCubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversationProjecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 seasonCubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnelJustin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the CubsThe future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs"

It seems like none of the Cubs are locked in right now. We saw some big Cub bats over the spring; can it really be that bad Chili?

"‘‘No one’s at their peak performance, but I’m not stressing,’’ Davis told the Chicago Sun-Times."

Maybe you should stress just a little Chili. Cubs team president Theo Epstein spoke to NBC Chicago Sport’s network’s Patrick Mooney about Davis’ hiring.

"According to Epstein, firing the Cubs former hitting coach John Mallee wasn’t about the Cubs not hitting. Under Mallee the Cubs hit better in 2017 than their 2016 World Series Championship season. Davis is a former great slugger that brings instant credibility to the organization."

Consequently, Davis may lose that credibility if he can’t find a way to get some “peak performances” out of his All-Stars soon.  It’s okay that fans, players and Cubs management have fallen for the great hitter now turned coach. Davis has an excellent record worthy of respect. However, Epstein knows with that World Series Championship came something else: expectation.

Epstein’s Challenge

Due to the end of a 108-year World Series drought, Cubs fans gave Epstein a World Series hangover pass last year.  This year he has raised expectation among fans by putting together a stellar starting rotation and bullpen.  Perhaps Epstein thought that Davis could push the Cubs hitters beyond the point Mallee had taken them? Maybe Epstein just under-estimated the Cubs pace to start?

Next: Is Lester's decline in velocity cause for concern?

As a result, Davis has yet to deliver the thundering bats and high score run-ups.  Cub’s fans are patient, but they know when their team is in the zone and when they’re flat.

Consequently, if there’s one thing that Cub fans are thankful for, it’s that we’re only five games into 162.