Chicago Cubs: Three keys to break tough losing streak

Key #3: Timely hitting from the superstars

Another reason for the early success of the 2020 Cubs is their hitting with runners in scoring position and with two outs. These were both problem areas that cost the team dearly over the past three seasons. It was a big relief to see these guys coming up clutch again.

Maybe it’s the lack of fans. Maybe it’s the fact that this team is even more focused than usual as they hold each other accountable during times when the team is quarantined. Whatever helped this team focus up and start the season with a bunch of wins, it was a welcome change.

That seems to have slowed down now as the Cubs routinely left runners stranded in scoring position over their three-game losing streak. It’s a frustrating trend that fans were hoping was a thing of the past. But the team whiffing at the plate in big situations seems contagious.

There’s been some fans grumbling about the team’s need to extend some of the Cubs superstars. At the top of that list is third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Javier Baez. Both players will soon earn big-money contract extensions, hopefully with the Cubs.

This short season won’t be the only deciding factor in how the Cubs dish out contracts over the next two winters, but it’d serve Bryant and Baez well to get things going. Bryant is hitting .196 on the year and battling minor injuries. Baez has an OBP of just .244.

These are two of the best players in the league, and they definitely will bring these numbers up in line closer to their career averages. But they need to turn things around quickly, and if their bats get going the sky’s the limit.