5 Things Cubs Should Do to Make the Playoffs

It is no secret that Chicago sports is at an all-time low. The White Sox have recently set the record for most losses before the All-Star game. The Bears came in last place. The Bulls lost the play-in series again. The Blackhawks came in last. The Fire are 5-18, the Sky are 9-14, and the Red Stars are 7-7-2.

The Cubs are in last place as well.

But looks are deceiving. The Cubs are only 4 games behind the second-place St. Louis. Only 2 games separate the Cubs from the third-place Pirates. The Cubs are only 3.5 games behind in the Wild Card race. This season is far from over.

The Cubs ended the first half riding high. They swept the first-place Orioles in Baltimore which hasn't happened to the Orioles in over two years. They split with St. Louis to end the season.

If I were manager Craig Counsell or head of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, this is what I would be focusing on for the second half of the year.

1. Continue the Offensive Roll

According to MLB.com, the Cubs ended the first half with the following rankings:
- 22nd in batting average at .235.
- 20th in home runs at 1 per game
- 13th in OBP
- 21st in slugging
- 16th in runs which amounts to 4.2 runs per game

It is rather simple, hits put men on base which begets RBIs which begets runs which begets wins. The Cubs are one of the worst teams in baseball in batting average with runners in scoring position and much has been written about their horrible record in one-run games.

All these numbers relate back to a lack of offense and situational hitting. The Cubs showed that what they look like on paper can be actualized, especially against good teams and good pitching.