Ian Happ showing signs of life for Cubs' offense stuck in miserable slump

Although the Chicago Cubs lost a series in Wrigley against Atlanta this week, one positive note to take away is that left fielder Ian Happ has begun to heat back up at the plate. Batting .364 in his last three contests, Happ has hit the ball with authority, recording three doubles in that time and raising a slugging percentage for the team that sits at a mere 22nd overall in the league.

Happ's brutal 5-40 stretch prior was one of the worst we have seen from him in his career, but we know he is also capable of breaking out at the dish and being a key contributor offensively and defensively when we least expect it.

The team has now fallen to just three games over .500 after running into rookie phenom Paul Skenes twice and the consistently superb Atlanta Braves for six of the last ten games. Thankfully, the Cubs are out of the woods now, getting set to take on the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game set this coming weekend.

The Cubs' offense is in desperate need of Ian Happ breaking out of his slump

The Cubs will first face Miles Mikolas, who already has a forgettable season with a 5.77 ERA and 3-5 record. Happ's discipline at the plate needs to translate to more hits and a higher batting average, but he appears poised to turn that corner now. Happ has a career .565 slugging percentage in Busch Stadium, with ten homers and ten doubles in 131 career at-bats. Given the recent offensive outburst, I predict he will add to those numbers this weekend.

Hopefully, Happ and his .294 career batting average against Mikolas will get his retribution after the latter received a five-game suspension last year for childishly plunking him. I expect Happ to be near the top of the order and continue where he left off against Atlanta.

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