Is Kris Bryant holding the Chicago Cubs back this season?
The Chicago Cubs have been as inconsistent as any team in the majors this season when it comes to winning ball games. How much of that is due to the play of Kris Bryant?
When it comes to the Chicago Cubs‘ on and off struggles this season, there’s plenty of finger-pointing to go around. Fans can point to a number of glaring issues that have plagued the defending champs all season long. Their starting pitching, relief pitching, and offensive production have all taken turns hampering them.
But, what if there’s an even more obvious reason why the Cubs so far lack that championship winning formula from a season ago? A reason, that many die-hard fans won’t ever want to publicly acknowledge.
The fact of the matter is that Kris Bryant hasn’t been playing like an MVP this season. Furthermore, he hasn’t played like an all-star either. And that’s hurting the Cubs, more than people think.
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A statistical regression across the board offensively
For a player coming off an MVP season, along with winning a World Series championship with the Cubs, hardly anyone expected Bryant to regress this season.
Unfortunately, up to this point, that has been the case, hitting wise. His statistical numbers speak for themselves.
Heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Nationals, Bryant is batting .274, to go along with 20 homeruns and 47 RBI’s, in 101 games played.
Those numbers are a far cry from the .292 AVG, 39 HR, 102 RBI’s Bryant posted in 2016.
The main source for Bryant’s regression as a hitter this season can be attributed to his performance with runners in scoring position.
In 78 at-bats with runners in scoring position, Bryant’s hitting a dismal .218. In comparison, he hit .263 in this scenario last season.
Leading by example
As the team’s best player, the Cubs’ success this season largely hinges on how Bryant fares. If he’s struggling offensively, this can have a carry-over effect over the entire lineup. Making it even tougher to put runs on the board.
Bryant isn’t the only Cub who struggles at times getting it going offensively in crucial situations. Kyle Schwarber hasn’t had a great season at the plate, following a magnificent World Series performance.
Addison Russell has also regressed as a hitter from a season ago. Same goes with Ben Zobrist.
So, while all the blame shouldn’t be placed squarely on Bryant’s shoulders in regards to the team’s inconsistent offensive production, if a reigning MVP is struggling, odds are the rest of the team is going to follow suit.
Hitting often becomes contagious. Bryant, being the player he is, is supposed to be one of the main offensive catalysts in the Cubs’ lineup.
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Fortunately, with just under two months left to go in the regular season, there’s still plenty of time for Bryant, and the rest of his teammates, to get it going offensively.
If that happens, it will help mask other glaring issues, that have prevented the Cubs from winning games more consistently this season.