6 most disappointing Cubs of the postseason
Batting .185 as a team this postseason, there's plenty of blame to go around for the Cubs' struggles, facing a 2-1 deficit in the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. The third and fourth spots in the batting order have combined to go 5-for-52 in seven games and unless the Cubs' bats wake up soon, the 103-game winners are heading for an an early offseason.
Here's a look at of some of Chicago's culprits this postseason, both at the plate and on the mound:
Anthony Rizzo, 1B: Just 2-for-26 (.077) with no RBI in seven games, Rizzo’s ugly postseason is perhaps the main reason the Cubs can’t score runs. He’s 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position after hitting .341 in those situations during the regular season. It’s worth noting that Rizzo didn’t fare well in the postseason last year either, going 6-for-32 with 2 RBI in nine games as Chicago was swept in the NLCS.
Addison Russell, SS: A revelation in the middle of the order this season, Russell has been completely silent in the postseason, recording one hit in 24 at-bats (.042) and was bumped down to seventh in the order on Tuesday. The 22-year-old hasn’t had many chances to drive in runs batting behind Rizzo and Ben Zobrist, but he’s largely to blame for the Cubs’ inability to string together hits.
Aroldis Chapman, RP: Chapman was supposed to be the rock in the bullpen that put the Cubs over the top. He’s been called upon in some unenviable positions, but Chapman has allowed four of his five inherited runners to score. Additionally, he’s had three bases stolen against him in six outings, after giving up just three all season.
Jake Arrieta, SP: The reigning Cy Young winner tailed off down the stretch, posting a 4.74 ERA in his last eight starts of the regular season. While he hasn’t been terrible in two starts this October (11 IP, 6 ER, 1 BB, 10 K), the Cubs have lost both of his outings. It’s unfair to expect Arrieta to be invincible like he was from June 2015-June 2016, but he hasn’t played the role of stopper so far this October.
Ben Zobrist, LF: A veteran of five previous postseasons, Zobrist was signed over the winter to bring his presence to a largely inexperienced team. He has batted cleanup in five of the Cubs’ seven postseason games, going 4-for-26 overall with 2 RBI.
Dexter Fowler, CF: After posting a .393 OBP in 2016, Chicago’s leadoff hitter is batting .179 with just two walks in the postseason. Aside from Kris Bryant, the guys behind Fowler aren’t hitting either, but it would sure would help if he could get on base.