Chicago Cubs: Three concerns heading into the All-Star break
Concern #2: The entire NL Central is in contention
The struggles the Cubs are going through isn’t helped by the fact that every single team in the NL Central is contending for the top spot in the division. The first and fifth place teams are separated by just four and a half games heading into the All-Star break.
The tightness in the standings was made worse by the Cubs having tough matchups against both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds while struggling. They lost two of three to the Reds before losing three of four to the Pirates in late June/early July.
The Brewers are only half a game behind the Cubs because they’ve been struggling as well, losing five of six heading into the break. The Cubs lucked out that one of their slumps coincided with the Brewers’ struggles.
At this very moment, five of the six division leaders in baseball are at least 4.5 games ahead of the second-place team.
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) July 4, 2019
And then there's the NL Central, where 4.5 games separate first place from last place.
Yep. pic.twitter.com/0ROdjv1Uot
The Cubs come out of the break at home with three games against the Pirates followed by three more home games against the Reds. It’s imperative that the Cubs do well in this home stretch and set the tone for the second half.
There were some fireworks in the last game between the Cubs and Pirates, when manager Joe Maddon was ejected after he took issue with Pirates pitching throwing up and in at Cubs hitters.
Maddon went as far as to say he “Can’t wait” to play the Pirates again after the break, which sounds ominous but could also just mean he’s pumped to face them again and beat them.
Whatever the reason, this team needs to focus on winning and not retaliation when they meet with the Pirates again. Nearly every game with a division opponent will be crucial in the second half.