By Bob Zayas, Cubs/MLB correspondent
CHICAGO- It has been roughly three weeks since the start of the 2021 season and the Cubs are finding themselves in a struggle to tally consecutive victories.
So it came as a surprise to baseball fans across the nation when the Cubs unleashed on the Atlanta Braves, winning 13-4 on Saturday afternoon. The Cubs bats came alive with 14 hits and 6 home runs.
But Sunday evening, the roles were reversed, as the Cubs lost 13-4 to the Braves in a game that started with Atlanta hitting four home runs in the first inning!
At times early in this season the Cubs appear to be an at bat away from a winning streak, as noted with Saturday’s critical win. But it just hasn’t happened.
The Northsiders are hitting .184. The Cubs' pitching is not bad and the bullpen has done its job for the most part. Team pitching ERA is 4.39, not great but not horrible either.
Jake Arrieta, back in Chicago on a one year contract, is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA. Reliever Craig Kimbrel has not allowed an earned run in 6 innings. According to CBS Sports, the Cubs are on pace to win 74 games, but at this rate, they will not catch the first place Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs have a -23 run differential which is the worst in the National League.
So where do we go from here? The Cubs seem to lack momentum. I know it’s still early in the season and the Cubs could turn this around in a game or two, but so far there is not much hope for a winning season, much less making a challenge in the division.
Sources: ESPN and CBS Sports
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