{"id":130024,"date":"2026-05-14T22:59:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/cubs-ian-happ-looking-to-snap-out-of-recent-hitting-funk\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T22:59:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:59:27","slug":"cubs-ian-happ-looking-to-snap-out-of-recent-hitting-funk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/cubs-ian-happ-looking-to-snap-out-of-recent-hitting-funk\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs, Ian Happ looking to snap out of recent hitting funk"},"content":{"rendered":"


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ATLANTA \u2014 The Cubs<\/a> have one hit in their last 28 chances batting with runners in scoring position. They\u2019ve scored three runs in their last four games entering play Thursday night against the Braves. Collectively, they have 13 hits in 120 at-bats in that span, a batting average of .108.<\/p>\n

Surely, even the most jaded denizen of Wrigleyville doesn\u2019t expect this to go on indefinitely, although if you\u2019re looking to break a slump, you wouldn\u2019t nominate Chris Sale<\/b> as the guy you\u2019d most like to see looming over you on the mound.<\/p>\n

Sale is a decade removed from the days when he was dealing for the White Sox, but since reviving his career three years ago when he came to Atlanta, he has been as intimidating as ever, still throwing his fastball at 98 mph. The left-hander won a Cy Young Award in 2024, was averaging just under 12 strikeouts per nine innings last season until fracturing a rib cage and missing 62 games, and at age 37 is off to another great start this season. He brought a 6-2 record, 2.20 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 49 innings into Thursday\u2019s series finale against the Cubs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s one of the best in the game, so it\u2019ll be a good test for us,\u2019\u2019 left fielder Ian Happ <\/b>said.<\/p>\n

A test much better taken, it would seem, when the Cubs were scoring five or more runs a game, as they\u2019ve done 23 times this season, including their last three games at home before this downturn.<\/p>\n

The batting averages through the first 14 days of the month reflect the extent of the recent struggles. Moises Ballesteros <\/b>is 2-for-34 (.059). Seiya Suzuki <\/b>(.179), Alex Bregman <\/b>(.209), Happ (.211), Nico Hoerner <\/b>(.214), Pete Crow-Armstrong <\/b>(.220). Even the team\u2019s best-hitting regular in May, Michael Busch <\/b>(.342), has been held hitless in Atlanta (0-for-5), though he has drawn three walks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve run up high pitch counts, we\u2019ve had traffic [on the bases}, the last few games we\u2019re just not pushing it across, you know, all up and down the lineup, struggling to just push across the runs,\u2019\u2019 Happ said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that happens over the course of a season. You\u2019ll have a stretch where you get guys in scoring position, but you can\u2019t quite get it done.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

On Sunday, Happ\u2019s streak of reaching base ended at 30 games. But during the last four games, he has struck out nine times in 11 at-bats.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like we were scoring six, seven runs a night [during the 10-game winning streak that ended Saturday], adding on the whole time,\u2019\u2019 he said. \u201cBut that\u2019s baseball.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, a good test. A good way to finish the series.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Amaya back in lineup<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

Catcher Miguel Amaya<\/b>, who had complained of some back tightness Friday and hadn\u2019t played in a week, was back in the starting lineup Thursday.<\/p>\n

With left-hander Sale on the mound, manager Craig Counsell <\/b>installed Matt Shaw <\/b>in right field and Suzuki served as DH.<\/p>\n

Bregman,<\/b> who homered Monday night and had two singles Tuesday night, moved up a spot in the order, batting second. Bregman started the season in the 2-spot but hadn\u2019t hit there since April 26, with Ballesteros <\/b>getting the majority of starts there.<\/p>\n

Schedule updates<\/b><\/h3>\n\n

The Cubs announced a change in starting times for two games, one on the road, the second at home. The Memorial Day game (May 25) against the Pirates, originally scheduled to be a night game, is now scheduled for a 12:35 p.m. start. The start time of the Cubs\u2019 game on Sunday night, June 7 at home against the Giants has been pushed back 10 minutes, to 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s a good one, man,\u2019\u2019 Weiss said of Counsell.<\/p>\n

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