Chicago Cubs avoid the sweep on Sunday but offensive concerns still loom large

The Chicago Cubs finally showed some fight Sunday afternoon. They erased a 5–0 deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7–6. In doing so, the Cubs avoided what would have been a demoralizing sweep at Wrigley Field. It was the kind of gritty, late‑game push the Cubs desperately needed. However, it didn’t erase the troubling offensive patterns that defined the entire series.

Starter Jamison Taillon gave up a lead-off home run to O’Neill Cruz to start the game. In the second inning, he served up a grand slam to Brandon Lowe, and the Cubs quickly trailed 5-0. Still, he pitched better afterwards and went six innings.

Meanwhile, the Cubs’ offense once again sputtered with runners in scoring position. The Cubs kept stranding runners in scoring positions, but repeatedly failed to deliver.

But baseball is strange, and sometimes the spark comes from the last place you expect.

With two runners on, Michael Busch, who was benched to start the game after a rough stretch at the plate (0 for 30 the last eight games), delivered a two‑run single to tie the game. It was exactly the kind of swing the Cubs have been missing all week. Moreover, it was exactly the kind of moment Busch needed.

The Cubs loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Catcher Carson Kelly came through with a game-winning base hit.

Will this win jump-start the Chicago Cubs anemic offense?

Still, the bigger picture remains complicated. On Saturday’s 4-3 loss, the Cubs went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position. They were better on Sunday, going 5-for 13, but two key hitters in the lineup continue to struggle as Ian Happ went 0-for-5, and Pete Crow‑Armstrong went 0-for-4.

No one can deny Pete Crow‑Armstrong’s immense talent and elite defense. But right now, he is swinging at everything and giving pitchers no reason to challenge him.

Even after losing on Saturday, manager Craig Counsell believed things would eventually turn around. And his faith was rewarded on Sunday. Still, the team’s margin for error is shrinking as the schedule toughens with 7 games against the Philadelphia Phillies. Then the Cubs face the New York Mets at home, and travel to play the Dodgers and Padres to close out April. Can the Cubs’ hitters come through in the clutch against the teams with whom they will compete for the playoff spots in the National League?

Sunday’s comeback was a reminder that the Cubs have the talent and resilience. What they need now is consistency. If Busch’s clutch hit becomes the spark that finally wakes up the entire offense, this win will mean more than just avoiding a sweep. But if they continue to struggle with runners in scoring position, today will feel like a temporary escape rather than a turning point.

The post Chicago Cubs avoid the sweep on Sunday but offensive concerns still loom large appeared first on ChiCitySports.