AL Central
Kansas City Royals
A Stark Decline After The All Star Break
Since the All-Star break in early July, the Chicago Cubs have fallen into a significant offensive slump. Their scoring has dipped from a season-high average of 5.33 runs per game to just 4.14. This is large in part to key sluggers slumping majorly, even though data only pointed to one of them falling behind, Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Key Sluggers in a Rut
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA): Once the breakout star of the season, PCA has struggled mightily in August, batting just .091 and striking out at an alarming clip.
- Kyle Tucker: The slugger acquired for his power production has cooled off too—he’s cracked only one home run since late June. A recent SI analysis notes his overall season slash remains respectable (.271/.384/.469), but his recent performance is dragging the offense down—and anyone following him knows a turnaround feels overdue.
- Michael Busch: Among regular hitters, Busch has the worst showing post-break—.153/.228/.292 with a 48 wRC+. His zone contact rate has dropped from 86.2% before the break to just 77.2%, pointing to serious timing issues and increased swing-and-miss.
Missed Opportunities Are Mounting By The Day
In recent games, such as the 5-0 loss to the Cardinals, the Cubs went an astonishing 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base. Another blowout against the Blue Jays (5-1) saw them manage just one run amid 1-for-9 RISP struggles and ten left on base.
Season Trends vs. Second-Half Reality
While the Cubs’ offense ranked among MLB’s best earlier in 2025—leading in runs per game (5.86) and ranking high across OPS+, wRC+, OBP, SLG, and wOBA—the second-half taper is undeniable.
Silver Linings Amid the Slump
Despite the offensive doldrums, there are some bright spots:
- Cade Horton: The rookie pitcher is on a remarkable 23.2-inning scoreless streak, giving the team a steady arm in the rotation.
- Matt Shaw: The third baseman has rebounded smartly, batting .333 over the past week after being called up earlier in the season. He has also shown some pop.
- Relievers like Andrew Kittredge: He recently recorded an immaculate inning against the Cincinnati Reds, a division rival, showing bullpen flashes remain solid.
Facing Mounting Pressure in the Wild Card Race
The Cubs are now 10-11 since the All-Star break and have lost three of their last four series. Meanwhile, the Brewers are surging with a 17-4 record. The Cubs hold just a 1.5-game lead in the NL Wild Card. Team observers note that while the offensive slump stems from a combination of bad luck and multiple players slumping simultaneously, the situation is far from irreversible, especially with the schedule the Chicago Cubs are slated to face down the stretch.
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