When they post the Cubs lineup, one has to notice that the team batting average is sinking toward a collective .248.
Yes, there are flashes like Bryant's three hit game or Schwarber hitting a late inning home run.
But there is not a .300 starter in the lineup. That is a major concern.
When playoff pressure ramps up, pitchers can use it against hitters. That is why you rarely see blow-out playoff games.
Through 131 games:
4981 PA
4419 AB
538 Runs scored
1066 Hits
137 HR
511 RBI
80 SB
.241 BA
.318 OBP
.393 SLG
15.3 WAR
In this stretch run, pitching, defense and timely hitting will be the keys.
Besides Arrieta and Lester, the rest of the rotation is meh. Hammels has been pulled quickly in his last three starts and Haren is below par. Wada will probably take his place in the rotation. Defense is a concern with so many players not playing their natural position (Coghlan and Castro at second; Schwarber in LF, Bryant in RF). Baez playing second could help, but he looks like his old K-Machine at the plate.
