4 disgusting Cubs statistics that will make any fan physically ill

The Chicago Cubs continue to disappoint in 2024, with a dreadful 38-45 record and sole possession of last place in the NL Central heading into Saturday afternoon's matchup in Milwaukee.

While April seemed promising for the North Siders, the situation has slipped to the point where selling at the trade deadline is looking more probable by the day. The team hasn't won back-to-back series since April 24 and they've posted a record of 20-33 over the months of May and June. The record is reflected by unexpected sloppiness on the field, and here are four statistics that put this team's gross underperformance in perspective.

1. The team has made 35 outs on the basepaths (Leads MLB)

During Friday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Cody Bellinger contributed to the Cubs' lead in this statistic when he forgot how many outs there were and got doubled off first base to end an inning in embarrassing fashion. It was one of those plays that makes you scratch your head and wonder how an eight-year MLB veteran, who has historically been a good baserunner, could make an out like that. What made matters worse is the fact the Cubs were playing the first-place Brewers and could very well have squandered a chance to score a critical run in a two-run ballgame.

For a team that is supposedly built to excel in the fundamentals of the game like baserunning and defense, it's particularly concerning to see the Cubs at the top of this list. It's a good example of the general sloppiness that has plagued this team and helped prevent it from putting together a good stretch of wins over the past two months. Notably, the Cubs as a team have only been caught stealing 15 times, meaning the other 20 outs on the basepaths came from pickoffs, getting thrown out, or running outside the basepaths.

3. Cubs have tallied 17 blown saves (tied for 2nd-worst in MLB)

The Cubs bullpen can take a large share of the blame this year, as the team has blown 17 save of 36 save opportunities. This stat can, in part, be blamed on bad luck, as closer Adbert Alzolay went down with a season-threatening forearm issue in May. Before hitting the injured list, Alzolay, who was likely pitching with a damaged arm, blew five saves in April and May, exceeding his season total of 3 from a year ago.

In addition to Alzolay, set-up men Julian Merryweather and Yency Almonte have also missed significant time, with the latter suffering a recent setback in his recovery. The Cubs' lone free agent addition to the bullpen last offseason was 35-year-old Hector Neris, who despite remaining healthy has proven to be completely untrustworthy of ninth-inning duties. He has allowed traffic on the bases in all but four of his outings this year, blown four saves and failed to step up as a lockdown closer.

If this team hopes to compete, finding a real closing pitcher is a must-have, among other upgrades like power hitting and a starting catcher.

4. .218 batting average with runners in scoring position (third-worst in MLB)

At the mid-point of the season, the Cubs find themselves only ahead of the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox in batting average with runners in scoring position.

Those two teams have a combined 53 victories, which is the same as the Yankees and less than the Phillies. This means the Cubs are about as good at scoring runs as two of the worst teams in baseball, even though their payroll is roughly that of both of those teams combined. Suffice to say the roster has underperformed dramatically in this department.

This lack of hitting and driving runs in has contributed to the fact that the Cubs lead the Majors in games decided by one run, and they've lost 19 of them. The amount of times this team has had a convincing offensive outburst is too few and too far between to sustain a winning record, let alone a playoff appearance.