Craig Counsell Points to Home Run Problem as Cubs’ Eight-Game Skid Deepens

The Chicago Cubs’ season has taken a dramatic turn after a strong start, with the team now mired in an eight-game losing streak that has erased their early lead in the National League Central. Once sitting atop the division, Chicago has slipped into third place as its recent struggles continue to mount.

What began as one of the most promising starts in baseball has quickly shifted into a stretch defined by inconsistency on both sides of the ball. The Cubs have dropped 12 of their last 14 games, a downturn that has raised questions about their ability to regain early-season form.

The skid was compounded over the weekend when Chicago was swept at home by the Houston Astros, a series that exposed weaknesses in pitching, defense, and execution in key moments. Despite earlier success built on balanced play, the team has been unable to sustain its identity.

Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the concerns following another loss, pointing to a specific area that has repeatedly hurt the Cubs during the slide.

1. Home Runs Becoming A Costly Trend

Counsell identified the team’s inability to limit home runs as a central issue in their recent struggles. In Sunday’s 8-5 loss to Houston, the Cubs allowed three home runs, each contributing directly to the defeat. The long-ball damage has become a recurring problem during the losing streak, with opposing lineups taking advantage of mistakes over the plate. Counsell emphasized that consistently giving up home runs makes it difficult to compete, especially in tightly contested games. Chicago’s pitching staff, which had been reliable earlier in the season, has struggled to maintain the same level of effectiveness during this stretch. The breakdowns have often come at critical moments, allowing opponents to build momentum quickly. For Counsell, the concern is not only isolated to one game but reflects a broader trend that has developed during the team’s midseason slump.

2. From Early Dominance To Sudden Collapse

The Cubs’ current slide stands in stark contrast to their strong start to the season, which included multiple winning streaks of at least 10 games. Those runs briefly positioned Chicago as one of the top teams in baseball and a favorite in the division race. During that early stretch, the Cubs excelled in all phases of the game, combining timely hitting with solid defense and effective pitching. That balance allowed them to build an early cushion in the standings. However, that momentum has faded quickly, replaced by inconsistencies that have exposed vulnerabilities across the roster. Defensive miscues and pitching lapses have become more frequent, compounding offensive struggles. As a result, the team’s confidence and rhythm appear disrupted, with little margin for error as losses continue to accumulate.

3. Offensive Pressure And Search For Answers

While pitching has been the most visible issue during the skid, the Cubs’ offense has also cooled after a strong start to the year. Runs have been harder to come by, putting additional pressure on the pitching staff to keep games close. Key hitters such as Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki are expected to play larger roles in stabilizing the lineup. Their production will be critical if Chicago hopes to reverse its current trend. The lack of consistent run support has made it difficult for the Cubs to recover from early deficits, especially when combined with late-inning pitching struggles. The team’s margin for error has narrowed significantly during the losing streak. With the season entering a critical phase, Counsell and the Cubs face the challenge of addressing both mechanical issues and confidence concerns before the slide further impacts their playoff positioning.