Cubs Experience Rollercoaster Season

The 2026 Chicago Cubs are experiencing unusual streaks this season. As June approaches, the team has recorded two 10-game win streaks and one 10-game losing streak, placing their record at 31-27. They faced the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday.

In March and April, the Cubs excelled with a .261 batting average and a .780 OPS, scoring 5.5 runs per game with 1.4 home runs. However, May has been challenging. Their average dropped to .213, with a .656 OPS, 4.0 runs per game, and 0.9 home runs per game. “It’s just a weird thing,” said manager Craig Counsell. Notably, their early May games were part of a winning streak with 59 runs over 10 games. The subsequent losing streak saw them score only 25 runs, with four games featuring just one or no runs.

Ian Happ, the team’s left fielder, exemplifies their unpredictability. Recently, he went 7-for-15, hitting three home runs and earning 10 RBIs in three games. Yet earlier, he hit .172 with three home runs, seven RBIs, and 42 strikeouts over 27 games. “It’s the confounding part about baseball,” said Counsell, acknowledging that streaks are inherent to the game.

Regarding the team’s oscillating performance, Counsell said, “That’s what you learn from this.” He expressed that the hitters display typical seasonal traits, with several players either performing exceptionally well or struggling simultaneously. This fluctuation is common in baseball, contributing to its allure. Happ stated no particular reason for his recent success but felt optimistic about future opportunities.

“You put up five runs in a game, you feel good about it,” Happ remarked. “When we keep giving ourselves opportunities, just keep doing that and doing that, and we’ll have a couple here where we put up seven or eight.”

Ben Brown’s Consistency

The Cubs’ starting pitcher, Ben Brown, has delivered impressive results with a 1.89 ERA in his last four starts. His performance raises questions about his position in the rotation amid team health improvements. “He’s got an opportunity and he has absolutely made a lot of his opportunity,” Counsell said. Brown’s development included adding a sinker and changeup to his four-seam fastball and knuckle-curve, enhancing his confidence.

His experience as a postseason roster pitcher also motivated him. Counsell shared that Brown aimed to be more than a roster member, which fueled his off-season motivation.

The “Tarps Off” Trend

A noticeable trend in Busch Stadium has been the “Tarps Off” crew. This group of fans raises excitement by removing their shirts and twirling them in the right-field bleachers. Counsell appreciated the fun activity, often overshadowed by corporate marketing efforts attempting to increase ticket sales amidst a Cardinals rebuild.

The team has capitalized on the trend by producing merchandise like “Tarps Off” towels and an artificial intelligence-generated rules sign for the section. Future moves may include celebrity fans or corporate sponsorships. Although the trend’s originators see no financial reward, the Cardinals’ owner benefits from the new custom. “That’s the American way,” Counsell noted.

A Historic Rivalry

The Cubs and Cardinals played the 2,528th game in their rivalry. A notable event occurred on June 5, 2011. Cubs’ closer Carlos Marmol allowed a lead slip, resulting in a 3-2 loss, leading to pitcher Carlos Zambrano’s memorable declaration, “We stinks.” Zambrano’s statement continues to resonate with Cubs fans. “Big Z” captured the enduring frustration experienced by supporters over the years.