Chicago Cubs claim record which dates back to 1901
We knew the Chicago Cubs were going to be bad this year, we didn’t realize they would be historically bad when it came to hitting the ball. Like dead era baseball, bad.
Ten games into the 2021 season, one look at the standings you wouldn’t think the Cubs were terrible. Sitting at 4-6, a game ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates for last place in the National League Central Division isn’t anything to be ashamed of after a week and a half of baseball. Ah, let’s dig a little deeper.
The 2021 Chicago Cubs hitters are historically bad to start the season, collecting just 49 hits through the first ten games of the year.
Entering play on Monday, the Cubs were swimming in dangerous waters. By the end of the game, they were drowning in a sea of terrible statistics. Break out the Lovable Losers nickname again, because even after winning a couple this team has managed to claim a record which goes all the way back to 1901.
The Cubs needed seven hits to avoid this distinction. They tallied four. On the year Cubs batters are hitting .164. They are 13th in the majors in total home runs, but last in OPS. Their 49 hits on the year are ahead of only the New York Mets, who have played three fewer games.
More Cubs. There is hope for Craig Kimbrel. light
A little bit of context here. Yermin Mercedes of the Chicago White Sox had eight hits in his first eight at-bats this year. Javy Baez and Kris Bryant lead the Cubs in hits with nine, in ten games. There isn’t a player on the Chicago Cubs roster who has more hits than games played. Ronald Acuna, J.D. Martinez, and Cedric Mullins have combined for two more hits than the entire Cubs roster, in 188 fewer at-bats.
Gone from last year’s lineup are Jason Kipnis and Kyle Schwarber, two guys who didn’t really tear the cover off the ball. Replaced by David Bote (.087) and Joc Pederson (.129), two of five regulars hitting .152 or worse.
Shipping Yu Darvish away, while DFAing Schwarber and letting fan favorite Jon Lester walk was just the tip of the iceberg. Stalled Anthony Rizzo contract extension talks and a flurry of Kris Bryant trade rumors have made for several distractions. Whatever the problem is, the Chicago Cubs just aren’t hitting the ball.
Slumps like this happen. Maybe every 53 years or so, but sooner or later they’ll drop in some Texas Leaguers, get a few duck snorts, or a have some seeing eye singles make their way through the infield. Either that or their hitting coach will be the scapegoat and standing in the unemployment line.
Next. All or nothing approach not working. dark
Either way, there is nothing like going down in the record books, unless it is for hitting futility.