Cubs starting lineup vs Orioles proves they're enabling the Alex Bregman problem

Alex Bregman has had a polarizing start to his Chicago Cubs' tenure. While Bregman's offensive slump has been what's defined his early run with the Cubs, he's mixed in some controversy over the past week. Between a gesture potentially aimed toward fans, and not running out a grounder, there's been somewhat of a heel turn for the veteran third baseman.

Setting those two instances to the side for a moment, the larger conversation surrounds where Bregman has been slotted in the Cubs starting lineup.

Bregman has 169 plate appearances batting second this season, 154 plate appearances batting third, and 69 plate appearances batting fourth. After that, he has a handful of plate appearances batting fifth, and only two batting seventh.

Point being that Craig Counsell has extended a lengthy amount of rope to Bregman, hoping that he reverts back to being the All-Star bat the Cubs believed they were adding during the offseason. If the Cubs' lineup against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night is any indication, there's no plan on making a change anytime soon.

Cubs are doing themselves no favors with Alex Bregman's spot in the starting lineup

Why that has become problematic for the Cubs, specifically for this season, is because of how often Pete Crow-Armstrong is getting on base this season. Crow-Armstrong is fresh off a historic month of June, an All-Star selection, and general reminder of the impact he can have when he's right. He has 41 walks on the season, and an OBP of .383.

Given Crow-Armstrong's speed, when he gets on base, he's in scoring position almost immediately. That is where the problem lies with Bregman's spot in the starting lineup.

No player in baseball has more plate appearances with runners in scoring position this season than Bregman. Bregman has 123 plate appearances with runners in scoring position this season, but he's hitting .184 and a wRC+ of 55. The batting average ranks Bregman at No. 233 among qualified hitters, and ditto for wRC+.

It's entirely possible that the Cubs reach a point in the season where Bregman has turned the page from these struggles. Until that happens, the decision is clear. Bregman needs to be moved down in the starting lineup, considering they are leaving scoring opportunities on the table. That's a luxury the Cubs can't afford at the moment.

Benching Bregman for any considerable amount of time is unrealistic, but it's reached the point in the season where the Cubs can't be complacent with the handling of his struggles.

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