ATLANTA — Forget tacky baseballs. It looked as if Cubs fielders were handling one coated in grease early in the game Thursday. A dropped ball in left field. A bobbled swinging bunt.
The Cubs’ defense, which has been a strength all season, had notable gaffes in each of the team’s games against the Braves this week. After a 5-3 loss to Atlanta on Thursday, which completed the series sweep, the Cubs’ playoff chances looked just as slippery.
