Craig Counsell scrambles to explain Pete Crow-Armstrong's brutal playoff flop

After Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong turned in another hitless performance in Wednesday's loss, manager Craig Counsell gave a head-scratching answer to his young star's struggles.

During his postgame press conference, Counsell pointed to the San Diego Padres' elite pitching as an answer for Crow-Armstrong's abysmal plate appearances.

While it's true that Dylan Cease and Mason Miller were mostly untouchable, as the Cubs only mustered four hits in their 3-0 loss, Crow-Armstrong has looked particularly dreadful at the plate. To the point where it's hard to even get excited when he steps in the box, whereas earlier in the season, we yearned for him to get as many at-bats as possible.

In six plate appearances this postseason, the 23-year-old has failed to collect a hit, RBI, or even a walk, with five strikeouts and 10 whiffs over the first two games. The Cubs are simply a much more potent offense when Crow-Armstrong gets on base, which has the twofold effect of messing with the opposing pitchers and defenders. It is his main strength on offense, and he has so far failed to make an impact in the club's most important games of the season.

The Cubs need Pete Crow-Armstrong to show up in must-win Game 3

I'm not saying Crow-Armstrong needs to be benched, because his glove alone is worth keeping him in the lineup. But this is a do-or-die situation, and the Cubs need to win Game 3 in order to advance. Crow-Armstrong just turned in one of the more impressive offensive seasons from a Cub in recent memory, and they need his superstar-level talent now more than ever.

Even working a walk would go a long way in improving the team's chance of scoring. He needs to be more patient and let the moment come to him. In his media scrum after the game, Crow-Armstrong seemed to have a level head about the situation. Hopefully that transfers into something worthwhile in Game 3.