Astros 3, Cubs 0: In which I criticize Craig Counsell’s lineup choices

Key Points:

• After Friday’s loss to the Astros, Cubs manager Craig Counsell promised to try “something different,” but changes were minimal, with only Pete Crow-Armstrong leading off, Nico Hoerner batting cleanup, and Ian Happ resting.
• Two top prospects, Pedro Ramirez and Kevin Alcántara, were added to the roster but only used as pinch-hitters and in limited defensive roles, raising questions about why they weren’t given starting opportunities amid the team’s struggling offense.
• Despite solid pitching from Colin Rea, who threw seven innings with only three runs allowed, and good defensive plays from Crow-Armstrong and Hoerner, the Cubs’ offense remained anemic, scoring just seven runs over their last five games.
• The Cubs’ recent offensive woes are historic, with only one other five-game span since 2022 producing fewer than seven runs, highlighting the urgent need for lineup changes and more aggressive experimentation.
• The team looks to avoid a series sweep on Sunday with Shōta Imanaga starting against the Astros’ Peter Lambert, as fans and analysts hope for more significant adjustments to spark the Cubs’ struggling offense.