Despite Chicago’s offensive surge, inconsistent production from key starters threatens the lineup's efficiency. Analyze the underlying metrics and panic levels for three Cubs hitters.
The Chicago Cubs have the best offense in baseball over the past month.
They have averaged a league-leading 5.88 runs per game since June 5 and have scored the second-most runs (153) during this stretch. Only the Philadelphia Phillies (158) have scored more runs in the past 30 days.
But there are a few Cubs hitters who have struggled to produce consistently during this stretch. These three hitters have not carried their weight in the lineup and are currently in a slump at the plate.
Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman has been a bit disappointing in his first season with the Cubs. He entered Sunday’s series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals with a .240/.341/.343 slash line with seven home runs, 12 doubles, 31 RBI, and two stolen bases across 87 games.
His numbers have been even worse recently, as he is batting .196 with two home runs and 13 RBI since June 1. He continues to struggle with runners in scoring position (.180 batting average) and is becoming a liability at the top of Chicago’s lineup.
Although Bregman came through in a big spot in the first inning of Sunday’s game with an RBI double, his underlying metrics are a bit concerning moving forward. His xwOBA (.316), expected slugging (.360), average exit velocity (87.7 mph), and barrel rate (4.6%) all rank in the bottom half of the league.
Panic Level: 8/10
Michael Busch
Michael Busch has cooled off significantly since his hot stretch in May. The lefty slugger is batting just .152 with three home runs, one double, and five RBI over his last 17 games dating back to June 15.
However, there should be no concern with Busch moving forward. He is one of the team’s best hitters with runners in scoring position (.277 batting average), and his metrics suggest that better days are ahead.
The Cubs first baseman has a .343 xwOBA, 11.1% barrel rate, 41.3% hard-hit rate, 28.4% squared-up rate, and a 15.2% walk rate. All five of those metrics currently rank in the upper half of the league.
Panic Level: 2/10
Ian Happ
There have been some good and some bad with Ian Happ this season. The good is that he is second on the team in home runs with 17 and is currently on pace to hit a career-high 31 long balls.
The bad, though, is that Happ has a .221 batting average and can’t hit with runners in scoring position. The switch-hitting outfielder is batting .175 with runners in scoring position and has left the most runners on base (192) in the majors in 2026.
There is some level of concern with Happ because of his poor-hitting numbers with runners in scoring position. However, his 13.5% barrel rate and .322 xwOBA offer some optimism for the future.
Panic Level: 5/10
