It’s been a tough year for the Cubs thus far.
In their first season after trading the heart of their 2016 World Series-winning team (Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez), Chicago is a paltry 23-36. But even that record doesn’t tell the whole story.
At the moment, Chicago is 20th in the majors in runs scored and 26th in team ERA. Aside from two-time All-Star catcher Willson Contreras, they really have no worthwhile prospects or foundational pieces to build upon for the future.
On Saturday, the Cubs’ latest historic foibles came to pass against the Yankees (-275): They broke the record for the longest hitless streak by any MLB team in the last 40 years (!).
The Cubs are now hitless in their last 45 at-bats with runners in scoring position. FROM ELIAS: That's the longest streak by any team in the last 40 years.
Most Consecutive Hitless AB with RISP
2022 Cubs 45
1996 Giants 43— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 12, 2022
Ends at 48 at-bats ! https://t.co/R9JHlhaHM5
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 12, 2022
I’m sorry. Does that read 48 (!) unsuccessful at-bats with someone ready to cross home? What remarkable futility. That’s a lowlight so bad we should almost celebrate it. I mean, honestly: You think luck would eventually help a bad team out!
To add insult to insult, the Yankees ended up pummeling the Cubs 18-4 to give them their sixth-straight loss. If it’s any comforting consolation for folks on the North side as this bleeding continues for their favorite team: There are only four months or so left in the season.