Chicago Cubs: 3 players who need to step up in Contreras’ absence

Willson Contreras is expected to be out four weeks with a hamstring injury and the Chicago Cubs need these three players to step up in his absence.

Willson Contreras pulled up lame on a fly ball to left-center field in Saturday’s 4-1 over the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs playoffs dreams have taken another hit. It’s been a struggle for the Cubs this season who have underachieved in a big way. They’ve been terrific at home and are the worst team on the road.

It’s bizarre watching this team on the road struggle to score runs and hold leads when they have them. Contreras has put together a solid 2019 season after a subpar 2018 season in which he said he abandoned his workout regime. Essentially he got complacent and his on-field play suffered.

In 87 games this season, Contreras is slashing 0.275/0.365/0.525 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI’s. His first half performance earned him his second straight All-Star start, but his hamstring injury comes on the heels almost two years to the day of when he last injured his hamstring.

If you recall, Contreras was on a hot-streak in 2017 prior to the injury but never returned to the player prior to. The Cubs entered Monday with a 1.5 game lead in the National League Central Division, and Contreras is expected to miss at least 4 weeks.

If they want to be able to grab ahold the division and pull away, they are going to need these three players to step up in his absence.