Papa Cub

You are an optimist my friend - that’s a good thing to be for sure 👍 (better than me) - I do mean that sincerely Then there is a realist. I try to align with this approach. The idea is this: in REALITY Milwaukee is hands down the better team in all phases right now. Think about it - they hit wayyyy better than we are currently, they play solid defense and so do the Cubs; however, they are MUCH better managed (funny how they just let old Craig come to us without a fight don’t you think 🤔 ) and just a more confident team. Finally there’s the pitching. The Cubs pitching has done a nice job as of late with the hitter’s absolute abysmal performances, but Milwaukee is better than us in starting pitching and relief. To me - reality is the Cubs will be lucky to get 1 game out of these five. Even if they’re lucky enough to win the series with 3-4 games - Milwaukee still would be up on them by 6-7 games in the division. It’s time to let go of the division talk and focus on just keeping their heads above water to make wild card. if they win 3 or more games - you all can blast my comment with comments of your own and I’ll gladly accept it, but I don’t see that happening. We shall see

Pressure?? At this rate, what do the Cubs have to lose hahaha - nobody’s expecting them to even win one damn game against Milwaukee - pressure lol that’s funny! Milwaukee will put an absolute BEATING on this team at Wrigley. Cub fans that have their heads in the clouds will see just how inferior they are to Milwaukee. Cubs will be lucky to win one game out of this upcoming series.

Okay - I’ve seen enough - this team flat out sucks! Win, lose, or whatever……I get no enjoyment from watching this team. A bunch of lifeless, below average coaching and ball players. Don’t tell me about their record or where they sit currently in those standings. This team is straight garbage. At least football season is here because this team has ruined baseball for me. With this ignorant and incompetent manager, this team will continue to be straight garbage.

That’s is one of the most simplistic and intelligent comments in this entire thread and forum. Just straight to the point. All the complaining and negative comments (I am guilty as charged as a frustrated fan) do no good. They just control their own destiny with this end of season schedule. Just win and don’t worry about other teams. Thank you

It was an egregious over slide man - he nearly reached the grass. At least the kid hit today, but the bonehead, mistakes continue.

I can’t argue your comment on certain parts. Especially about “if they don’t hit they’re screwed” part. Your comment is intelligent and is appreciated as a reader myself. Personally, I think Counsell is definitely a liability. What manager do you know pinch hits their “leadoff” or clean up hitters?? His moves make no sense whatsoever. He insists batting Busch at lead off and then most of the time pinch hits for him? If people say “oh it’s a righty/lefty thing” then riddle me this: why didn’t he bring in Keller or Kittredge in that situation yesterday against Vlad? No - he’s not managing well. Period. It’s not about “throwing your players under the bus” - you don’t do that. But have some backbone and own some of this slump yourself. Good leaders do that. Yes, it’s obvious this team is struggling at the plate, but when you have 2 dozen coaches for everything (hyperbole of course, but you get the point), then some of this, if not a lot of this, should fall on the management.

I disagree - I hope I’m wrong, and that the Cubs make it in, but this team is more than just “slumping.” They’re in a dark place. Due to their poor management, I don’t think they dig out of this free fall quick enough. I believe they will cause too much damage that the Mets & Reds or even the Giants will pass them. Mets will snap out of their funk like they did last year and make it in, along with the reds and cubs fighting it out along with another possible team like SF. You know the Padres, Dodgers, Phillies, and Brewers are shoe ins, and I believe like last two years, the Cubs will once again be home watching the playoffs in October.

Okay - so I’m not alone lol This team shows no signs of life, and they have absolutely zero friggin leadership. I think they’re going to miss out on playoffs. Everyone is saying “Oh, trust the math” blah blah blah……here’s some math (ignorant coach + major slumps from top half of your lineup + shaky pitching = getting your 🫏 kicked and losing games) Oh yeah - and Go Bears!!

Counsell is ignorant and should not be a Big League manager? 🤷‍♂️

Yes!! I like the fact you call it like it is - Counsell’s comments about “this is baseball” “trust the process “ or “we are fine” is a huge pile of 💩!! No - things aren’t fine and you, Craig Counsell, are a huge part of the issue.

I need to vent as a fan - I don’t care if people like the comment or not. I’m tired of this nonsense. First of all - we have a manager that is ignorant. Trying to say “trust the process” or “this is baseball and people need to get over that”, nonsense! Say what it is - the team is struggling a great deal, and we will make changes as we need to, or something to that affect. Also, if he is INSISTENT on making Michael Busch a lead off (that’s straight laughable by the way), then pinch hitting for him in the sixth inning doesn’t show much confidence, Does it? Perhaps you should have a guy like Hoerner leading off. I’l call it what is - the Brewers had the REAL leader on their staff the entire time - Pat Murphy. Counsell likes to make himself look like he’s the smartest guy in the room, but he’s failing miserably at managing this team. Period. Milwaukee is looking at Chicago with a permanent grin on their faces knowing they dumped a liability on them, while they’re burying us in the division. The division is such an afterthought it’s ridiculous. Any fan thinking this team, with this management will somehow come back from this deficit against the Brewers is either lying to themselves or just plain ignorant. They’re head and shoulders better than the Cubs. At this point, I’m going to say this - a wild card birth is unlikely to happen. Just like the last two season, fans will watch this team continue to implode. Anyway - those are my thoughts and the vent session. Do better, Chicago - starting with your management and leadership.

Seems like old Counsell is contemplating some of what we discussed 🤷‍♂️ Some may argue it was a “rest day” for PCA, and it very well could have been just that. The young man needs to clear the mechanism; something that playing every game never allows you to do. Castro was no bueno today, but I understand sitting PCA, Suzuki and even Tucker. “WAR” or whatever; you also “just don’t” sit on your laurels and hope they snap out of it because they had (past tense) good stats. Gotta do what is best for the team - if that means moving guys around in the lineup, DFA to work out their stuff, or sit on the pine for a few games, so be it.

Your article is well detailed and provides a significant amount of data to support your argument. However, as a baseball fan (Cubs fan obviously), I’d like to offer this observation: The young man is in his own head way too much! He’s not confident at all - watching his at bats, I can FEEL the anxiety radiate from him! Yes, we can support his swing issue with longer/shorter strides, how he approaches each plate appearance, but slumps, or in this case, a free fall, is often just one thing: Mental. He’s a hot mess right now, and until that is addressed, I do not see this young man going anywhere near where he once was in the peak of this season. Just my thoughts

Like I said - he’s a superb defensive player for sure. I, like many, am beyond frustrated with the team as a whole right now. They’re getting passed tonight for the top wild card spot. Like last couple years, it seems like they could miss out on the postseason yet again. Just sad and disappointed

Gotta have love for Nico man!! He’s been the only consistent player this season.

Yes sir! I turned tonight’s game off in the third inning - maybe fourth lol Beyond frustrating man! This team is spiraling downward at an alarming rate. It’s sad and hard to watch

That is definitely hard to argue; however, one should contemplate this: Although his defense is superb, is it helping them save more runs than the lack of production he’s exhibited at the plate? In my opinion, his lack of production at the plate is a detriment more so than him playing good defense. Castro would be a better option because he’s a solid defensive player and right know, a much better option offensively.

It’s not being negative saying these things - it’s the truth. I agree with you. This is more than a slump - this is a collapse and spiraling downward in a hurry! Counsell has to make some hard decisions in my opinion: gotta sit some guys down and move that lineup around, move guys up and down - something to stop the bleeding. It appears that Milwaukee hired and kept the real leader of that staff - Pat Murphy, while we got the “other guy “ 🤷‍♂️

We can respectfully agree to disagree on that point. He’s not getting the job done. Period. Allow him time to work with the batting coach (I believe that’s what they’re there for), and work through it that way. Not as a detriment to the team. I like the kid - tons of talent and potential obviously. However, he’s not getting the job done - gotta do what’s best for the TEAM not to please the fans because he’s popular or afraid you’re going to hurt his ego. just my thoughts - I’m not saying you’re wrong in your statement. Just respectfully disagree. Thank you for sharing and commenting. Hopefully they can show some signs of life as a team - soon.

Use him as a DH or work him in the rotation of catchers? I was thinking the same thing too. in any case, this team is an absolute train wreck. The division is a lost cause at this point , and if they don’t find some type of life they will once again miss out on the wild card. PCA needs to take a seat. Castro would be a better option right now for the team. The kid is spiraling downward and forcing him to “work out his slump” isn’t working. It’s more than a slump at this point.

Hello Jason, You’re 100% correct - my comment has zero to do with your article. Your article was well written and informative. I apologize for taking away from your article. Regarding my comment - that can be interpreted negative or positive depending on how you feel at the TIME about the Cubs baseball team. You answered it (filled in the blank) in your own way, and I agree with you. They’re a good team (based on their record), and they’re definitely going through a rough patch to say the least. Like any Cubs fan, I’m hoping for a resurgence from the team and especially from specific players, Happ being one of them among others. My fill in the blank with Happ and the Cubs team from what I have seen (pitching, hitting, management) is the word INCONSISTENCY. You do not know what version you’re getting with this team. I understand baseball is a sport of streaks at times, but good teams figure it out and make things happen. They find ways to win. I’m not seeing that from this team. Personally, the division is an afterthought - losing out yet again on the wild card is a hard reality. It’s not about being negative or pessimistic, it’s what this team has done the past couple years. We get Counsell from Milwaukee and pay him generously - result: Brewers win the division last year and Cubs miss out. This year - I think you get my point. Anyway, I appreciate your comment and time.

Fill this in: ” This team is _______________”

Thank you for stating the truth! Lol no excuses- this team is beyond slumping; they’re doing what they did the last two seasons. The division is an afterthought, and making playoffs is slowly becoming more and more distant as well. Tucker isn’t worth what they’re saying he would be worth lol - PCA has no plate discipline and the team is coming apart piece by piece. It’s a shame. Frustrating to watch them

Cubs will be lucky to get A WIN this series the way their bats are at the moment. They are in a bad way right now. Im not being negative- just a realist. Milwaukee is hands down a better team than Chicago is this season. They dealt with injuries in their pitching staff early on too, but they have made adjustments throughout the year to address their needs, while the Cubs simply did not. I believe the division is an afterthought; making playoffs may be harder than some fans would like to admit too. They are spiraling and unraveling at the seams. Struggling on multiple fronts at the moment. Yes - baseball is a game of streaks, but I feel this is much more than a “bad streak.”

I’d be sure to work with the young star on some plate discipline prior to etching any mega deal. He’s very talented and a gifted ball player, and I hope they can work out an extension - I’d love to see him continue his career as a Cub, but work needs to be done on the offensive side of things.