Chicago Cubs: Where does the blame lie during this streak?

After the Chicago Cubs started 7-1 out of the break, they’ve dropped five of six, and are looking for answers, well, everywhere. A struggling bullpen and an inconsistent offense won’t cut it.

When the Chicago Cubs started 7-1 after the All-Star break, most assumed that Joe Maddon had them back on the right track. He’s been historically good in the second half, and they were showing signs of life after the break. And then, they went on the road, and everything came crashing down on the Cubs.

In San Francisco, they lost two of three. On this trip to Milwaukee, they’ve dropped the first two with the finale this afternoon. Many fans will point at the bullpen, which has been horrendous as of late. In four of the five losses on this road trip, fans will point at the bullpen for the loss. And it hasn’t been one person. It’s everybody.

In four losses, three have been one-run affairs. Sadly, the Cubs lead in every game on the trip. Maddon has been questioned on his use of his starters.

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Kyle Hendricks was at 90 pitches when he was pinch-hit for. Jon Lester asked to be removed, so Maddon can’t be blamed for that one. After being sick and scratched from his last start, he was ‘gassed’ and asked to be taken out.

No big deal. He pitched seven, so the bullpen only needed to cover two innings–which they couldn’t.

After Pedro Strop and Brad Brach failed in previous games, Maddon turned to Steve Cishek, Derek Holland, Rowan Wick and Craig Kimbrel.

Wick was the star of the night. Holland did his job; The others did not. So clearly this is a bullpen issue.

Well, maybe not just a bullpen issue.

In the four losses on this trip, the Cubs have 11 runs on 25 hits. Those aren’t terrible numbers, but that’s just 2.75 runs per game. That’s needing your starter to be near perfect, and your bullpen absolutely perfect.

When we brought in Kimbrel, we were fixing a ‘hole.’ I expect him to get sharper as the season goes, but it has to happen fast. We picked up Holland, but he’s only to get lefties out (Hopefully.)

The Cubs have sent down Addison Russell, placed Daniel Descalso on the IL and called up Ian Happ for reinforcements. Happ has played well in the field but hasn’t hit in his first two games. The Cubs are doing all the things the fans have asked of them, but they’re still not winning.

Mostly, the Cubs are failing at all facets of the game right now. Just as easy as it goes wrong, they can turn it around in a hurry. (See 7-1 to start vs. 1-4 on the road trip) Honestly, I’m not sure what the Cubs need at the deadline. The offense can be a force but goes through inconsistency. The bullpen seems to have more holes than the front office can plug.

Many times I have a suggestion (Not always popular) to what the Cubs should do to fix this. At this time, I’m at a loss. All I know is I’m not beating brain cancer to watch the Cardinals or Brewers win the division again. Nope. No sir. Maybe a shakeup is what’s needed. Not from a seller’s standpoint. As a buyer, but something ‘big’ as far as the Cubs are concerned.

After the Chicago Cubs started 7-1 out of the break, they’ve dropped five of six, and are looking for answers, well, everywhere. A struggling bullpen and an inconsistent offense won’t cut it.

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