This one lineup change from Craig Counsell could fix a major Cubs' pain point in July

Through the team's first 83 games, Dansby Swanson was actually a better-than-league-average hitter (101 wRC+). But you'd never know it looking at comments online. Why the disconnect? Because fans remember what you do in the clutch and the Chicago Cubs' veteran shortstop has been anything but that so far this season.

With runners in scoring position, Swanson has been basically a guaranteed out, slashing .148/.215/.222 - which equates to a 19 wRC+. His complete lack of production with men on has Cubs fans begging for Craig Counsell to shake up the batting order, something he brushed off in a sitdown with the media last week.

With men on base, in general, he's been only marginally better, slashing .183/.257/.286 (51 wRC+). But it's with nobody on that he's made his living, evidenced by a healthy .286/.328/.521 line (134 wRC+). Twelve of his 15 home runs this season have come with the bases empty.

Nico Hoerner has delivered again and again - the Cubs should reward him

Counsell says he likes breaking up the two lefties, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch, with a right-handed hitter with some pop. But Brett Taylor and Michael Cerami made an excellent point on the latest episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast, suggesting Nico Hoerner is a great fit for the fifth spot in the order.

Does Hoerner have the power Counsell wants in that spot in the order? No. But that doesn't matter as much as Counsell thinks it does. If Crow-Armstrong gets on base ahead of the five-hitter, he's capable of manufacturing runs and taking extra bases all on his own, and is a real threat to score even if Swanson (or Hoerner) simply punch a ball to right field for a single.

Hoerner has also thrived with runners in scoring position this year, slashing .405/.430/.494 - and he's even batting .328 with men on base, further proving he'd be a great option to move up in the lineup. And, suppose the Cubs pull off an Eugenio Suarez trade in the coming weeks? He can then slot into the five-spot, breaking up the two lefties and delivering the pop Counsell wants there.

Regardless of if it's Hoerner or Suarez - the Cubs can't keep expecting things to suddenly change for Swanson. When he hits seventh or lower this year, he's been a dangerous hitter (albeit in a limited sample size) - but when Chicago has moved him up, he's struggled - and it's time the team acknowledges that fact and makes this needed lineup change.