Brutal timing of Cubs slump has fans fearing another playoff meltdown

The Chicago Cubs' offense has disappeared at the worst possible time. Back-to-back home runs saved the Cubs in Game 1 against the San Diego Padres in the National League Wild Card series, but other than that, the series has been defined by the team's hitters looking overwhelmed. Ahead of a decisive Game 3 on Thursday night, Cubs fans are reminded of just how bad things have been for the starting lineup over the last two days.

Cubs exposed by brutal stats that confirm every fan’s worst fear

While speaking to reporters after the Cubs' shutout loss in Game 2, Craig Counsell didn't sound like someone ready to make drastic lineup changes ahead of a decisive Game 3.

Expecting Counsell to take either Ian Happ or Pete Crow-Armstrong out of the lineup on Thursday in favor of Willi Castro simply isn't based on reality. Crow-Armstrong, despite his roller-coaster offensive season, remains the best defensive outfielder in baseball, and that is always going to keep him in the team's lineup. Even for Happ, Counsell has extended the benefit of the doubt to the veteran outfield over the course of the season, and that likely won't change on Thursday afternoon.

If there is going to be a change to the Cubs' starting lineup, it likely will be at third base with Matt Shaw. Shaw's rookie season has been defined by the constant need for him to make adjustments to his offensive approach, and as the regular season concluded, it seemed that another alteration was needed. During the final month of the season, Shaw slashed .222/.313/.375 with 2 home runs and a wRC+ of 95. Shaw was also striking out nearly 28% of the time in September.

If Counsell is going to take Shaw out of the lineup, he only has two options in terms of a possible replacement. Willi Castro would be a logical candidate to take Shaw's spot in the starting lineup, but he hit under .200 with a wRC+ of 40 since being added at the deadline. The other option would be Justin Turner, but there would be a gamble in expecting him to handle third base in a meaningful playoff game.

There certainly could be changes to the Cubs' lineup but it almost certainly will be tied to the order instead of Counsell moving one of the struggling bats to the bench. At the end of the day, if the core of the Cubs' lineup isn't going to make contact, there's not much else that can be done.

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