CHC Thread | The Struggle is Real | CHC (Wood) @ STL (Martinez) (ESPN)

quote:

---

I've watched their AB's somewhat closely and it just seems like right now they are missing their pitches. Bryant is drawing walks but we'd like to see Soler be more patient.

---

quote:

---

Chris Coghlan is also struggling

---

quote:

---

To keep that going, the Cubs obviously will need more offensive production. They were 11th in NL hitting and last in strikeouts on Sunday, and have scored only six runs in their last four games.

Surprisingly, Bryant is still homer-less after 54 at-bats, after becoming a sensation in March with a major-league-leading nine homers in spring training. The home run barrage even led to a commercial for an energy drink that ends with Bryant taking a goat with him from Iowa to Chicago.

It's no big deal yet, though quite an anomaly. Bryant averaged one home run for every 11.7 at-bats during his two-year minor-league career, and one for every 11.4 at-bats last year while hitting 43 at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.

Asked Sunday morning if he's anxious to get that first one out of the way, Bryant shrugged.

"I can go the whole season without hitting a home run, as long as we're winning games, and right now we're doing pretty good," he said. "We'll see. I know the type of player I am. It's a percentage. I hit home runs and I'm just due, and (Saturday) I was due for a bad game. It happens."

Bryant went 1-for-4 Sunday with a blooper that turned into a game-tying double, after his four-strikeout performance on Saturday. Maddon isn't concerned about Bryant's mini-drought, and he wants his players to put a bad day to bed once it's over.

"Twenty-four hours can make a huge difference in anybody's life, and in anybody's baseball game," he said.

Bryant is still adjusting to major-league pitching, while facing the daily pressure that comes from being the next in a long line of alleged Cubs phenoms.

There's no doubt he'll be fine in the long run. But if the Cubs hope to contend this year, Bryant has to flip the power switch on soon.

---

quote:

---

Tough weekend for the Cubs as they drop 2 of 3 to the Brewers. The Cubs have a bit of a struggling offense with the K's mounting for Bryant (19 in 15 games) and Soler (38 in 24 games...yikes). After the weekend, Bryant is down to .278/.418/.370/.788/123 and Soler is down to .269/.337/.409/.745/107. Bryant does have 12 BB in his 15 games, though, so that fine. Soler only has 8 BB and his K rate is skyrocketing as he chases pitches low and away.

I've watched their AB's somewhat closely and it just seems like right now they are missing their pitches. Bryant is drawing walks but we'd like to see Soler be more patient.

Chris Coghlan is also struggling and his mediocre defense doesn't carry his .212/.268/.409/.677/86 line. One would think, though, that Coghlan won't be tied for the team lead in HR's for long. Rizzo and Bryant and hopefully Soler as well will heat up with the summer.

Javy Baez has since returned to Iowa. In his 4 games, he's hitting a respectable .263/.263/.526/.789 considering the recent events in his personal life. He did hit a HR, though.

Peep this LINK for a whole slew of prospect HR's and video. Over the weekend, Billy McKinney hit 2 HR's in one game. Dan Vogelbach TRIPLED and Kyle Schwarber murdered more baseballs. Alcantara is also regaining form and is slashing a decent .279/.354/.605/.959 with a 5/11 BB/K and 3 HR, 1 2B and 2 3B.

Some roster stuff...the Cubs signed LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league deal and he will report to AAA Iowa. Justin Grimm will go on a rehab assignment. Hopefully that goes very well. The Cubs also claimed RHP Anthony Varvaro off waivers from Boston; he'll go to AAA Iowa and RHP Joe Ortiz was DFA'd.

ETA: Totally forgot, but the game tonight is on ESPN and tomorrow's game is on MLB Network.

---