Cubs can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results
Ross sticking with the same lineup structure nearly all season could also be a reason for the poor offensive displays. He is definitely showing the support for his players which is a must to develop a good relationship with the team, but there comes a time where a little change is necessary. Maybe moving a guy down in the lineup would help him out more than it would hurt.
This Cubs team is a selfless group, I find it hard to believe they would complain about getting moved around in the order when they are not performing well, especially considering a new lineup Joe Maddon posted nearly every game even when they were having success.
I have been one of the biggest advocates all season for the Cubs to finally go out and get a proven lead off hitter. We are still waiting, but in the meantime the team is rolling with Ian Happ who has done an exceptional job thus far.
I still think it would be more beneficial for the Cubs to eventually get a true lead off hitter and move Happ somewhere else in the order where his bat can be more dangerous than it already is.
One player I think should be experimented at the top of the lineup at some point is Cameron Maybin. When leading off an inning, the new Cub is slashing .333/.412./.600 in 15 plate appearances this season.
Below is a lineup change I would not mind to see tested for a game or two down this final stretch:
- Cameron Maybin-CF
- Ian Happ-LF
- Anthony Rizzo-1B
- Willson Contreras-C
- Javier Baez-SS
- Jason Heyward-RF
- Kris Bryant-3B
- Kyle Schwarber-DH
- Nico Hoerner/Jason Kipnis-2B
All things considered, even with the struggles this season the Cubs are in first place with 14 games remaining. As many baseball fans know, having the best statistics and record can be thrown out the window come postseason time.
There are no major changes coming anytime soon to this team, so we are going to ride or die with this team down the stretch. Personally, I do not think there is a better group of players poised to make a deep-run while the rest of the league is counting them out.
All it takes is for a team to get hot at the right time, because regardless of this being a season different from any other, one thing is certain: Anything can, and will happen in October.