Assessment of the significant five-game confrontation between the Cubs and Brewers, with notable implications for Chicago, despite the diminished prospects for the NL Central title.
Chicago Cubs' Offense Falters in Second Half, Struggles Against Milwaukee Brewers
The Chicago Cubs' offense has experienced a significant decline in the second half of the 2022 MLB season, particularly for key players Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Kyle Tucker, who suffered a fracture in his right hand during the first half, has struggled to regain his form in the second half. His batting average dropped to .190, with a slugging percentage of just .250, and he managed only one home run and six RBI in 25 games.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had a promising start to the season, has also struggled since the All-Star break. His batting average plummeted to .154, with no home runs in the following 19 games. Seiya Suzuki's performance has also been disappointing, with a batting average of .193, a slugging percentage of .295, two home runs, and nine RBI in 26 games.
The trio of Tucker, Suzuki, and Crow-Armstrong combined for five home runs and 23 RBI since the start of July, a stark contrast to their 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 27 games in May.
The Cubs, who had a 6 1⁄2-game lead in the NL Central after beating the Brewers on June 17, are now facing an eight-game deficit. The Cubs' offense has struggled, ranking 29th in runs scored, 25th in slugging, and 23rd in home runs since the All-Star break.
The Cubs are hosting the Milwaukee Brewers for a five-game series at Wrigley Field, starting with a doubleheader on Monday. Winning four out of five games against the Brewers could cut the Brewers' lead to five games with more than six weeks left in the season.
However, the Brewers currently have an eight-game lead in the NL Central division race, with a 94.6% chance to win the division according to our website's predictions. The Cubs will need to find a way to rediscover their offensive form and start hitting the ball with authority like they did in the first half to resemble a playoff team again.
The Cubs' opportunity to gain momentum for the NL wild card spot by winning the series against the Brewers is significant, as they look to make a push for the postseason. The first game of the series will be on Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
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