3 Cubs players who've gone cold at the absolute worst time

Losers of 8 of 10 and five straight, the Cubs are now on the outside of the postseason picture looking in - and the tiebreaker scenario paints a bleak picture for a team that had a 92% chance of playing in October in early September.

On the whole, the offense has simply failed to come up with timely hits - and it's proven costly. The bullpen is running on fumes without both Adbert Alzolay and Michael Fulmer on the IL and the sharp cleanliness that defined the team's late summer run has fallen to the wayside.

There's plenty of blame to go around - including some for David Ross - but here are 3 guys who could help the Cubs swing the momentum back in their favor by getting back on track.

3 Cubs players who've gone cold at the absolute worst time - #3: Cody Bellinger

If there's anyone who, I don't think deserves is the right word, but can be given a little longer leash when it comes to going cold is likely NL Comeback Player of the Year Cody Bellinger, who is slashing just .158/.261/.158 over the last 7 days.

Bellinger has been everything the Cubs front office hoped for - and then some - this season, playing at an MVP-caliber level minus the month he was sidelined with a knee injury. On the year, Bellinger has 25 home runs, 91 RB1, 20 stolen bases, 25 doubles and a team-leading 136 OPS+ that marks his personal best since he won NL MVP honors back in 2019.

Even Jed Hoyer has said that what Bellinger has done this year surpassed his wildest dreams. But his going cold at a time when the team is desperate for an offensive spark is proving tough to overcome - and if the Cubs are going to make another run, they'll need Bellinger at peak form to pull it off.

3 Cubs players who've gone cold at the absolute worst time - #2: Mike Tauchman

To whatever end, Ross is all-in on the guys who've gotten the Cubs to this point - and that includes outfielder Mike Tauchman who was a feel-good story for much of the summer, but whose production has fallen off a cliff not only in the past week, but for some time now.

Over the last 28 days, the 32-year-old Illinois native is slashing just .186/.329/.214. But you'd never know it based on how the Cubs manager has continued to lean on him. Tauchman should be thanking his lucky stars top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong has struggled at the plate since being promoted because it's given Ross the cover to keep penciling him into the lineup card.

I'm not saying Tauchman hasn't played a key role for Chicago this summer becuase he undoubtedly has. He's capable of grinding out lengthy at-bats, especially in big moments and has been a pleasant surprise for the team. But it's hard to see the value he's bringing to the team of late - the only reason he's still in there is because he's a known commodity for the coaching staff.