The 2026 season for the Chicago Cubs has been marked by extreme fluctuations. Entering June, the Cubs have endured two separate 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak. This pattern has left them with a 31-27 record as they face the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Performance Shifts
The Cubs showcased strong performance earlier in the season, hitting .261 combined with a .780 OPS in March and April. They averaged 5.5 runs and hit 1.4 home runs per game. However, their performance declined in May, hitting only .213 with a .656 OPS, averaging 4 runs and less than a home run per game.
Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, noting that the initial eight games of May were part of a winning streak where they scored 59 runs. In contrast, the following losing streak saw them score only 25 runs, with four games yielding one run or none.
Happ’s Contribution
Ian Happ has been a key figure in this unpredictable offense. Recently, he achieved a 7-for-15 streak with three home runs and ten RBIs across three games, following a slump where he hit .172. During that time, he also had 42 strikeouts over 27 games. Counsell highlighted the surges in performance, emphasizing the streaky nature of baseball.
Happ himself commented on the recent games, expressing optimism despite a close 6-5 loss to the Cardinals. He believes creating scoring opportunities will eventually lead to big wins.
Ben Brown’s Emerging Role
Starting pitcher Ben Brown has emerged as an asset, holding a 1.89 ERA over his last four starts. While his future in the rotation remains uncertain, Brown’s addition of a sinker and changeup to his repertoire has been key to his recent success. Counsell mentioned that Brown’s past struggles and his postseason inclusion have contributed to his current form.
‘Tarps Off’ Trend
The viral phenomenon of “Tarps Off” by young Cardinals fans at Busch Stadium has caught attention. These fans remove and twirl their shirts in the right-field bleachers. However, this organic trend has now been capitalized on by the Cardinals’ marketing team as part of their strategy to promote declining ticket sales after poor executive decisions.
As the trend grows, fans speculate about further commercialization, like celebrity appearances or sponsorships. The profits will benefit the team owner rather than the fans who started the trend.
Memorable Rivalry Moment
The Cubs and Cardinals played their 2,528th game, a rivalry rich in history. Notably, on June 5, 2011, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano famously exclaimed “We stinks” after a disappointing loss, a sentiment that resonated with many Cubs fans.