Good morning, Bleacher Nation. It's been a whirlwind of a season for the Chicago Cubs, and with the PetEqualizer, Swanson Sits, and Shaw & Boyd Rehab making headlines, it's clear that the team is in a state of flux. But amidst the chaos, there are some shining stars that are worth celebrating. Personally, I think that Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) has been one of the most consistent performers for the Cubs this season. What makes this particularly fascinating is that PCA has been able to adapt his batting stance and swing to become a more effective leadoff hitter. In my opinion, this is a testament to his skill and determination. One thing that immediately stands out is that PCA has been able to make small adjustments to his game, and these adjustments have paid off big time. For example, I noticed that PCA changed his batting stance right around the time he was put in the leadoff spot, and he's been on fire since then. This raises a deeper question: how much can players really change their game by making small adjustments? From my perspective, it's a reminder that even the smallest changes can have a big impact. Speaking of adjustments, Craig Counsell has also been making some interesting moves with the team. In his pregame press conference, he described how Dansby Swanson would be getting a couple of healthy days off to reset amid an awful slump at the plate. While I'm glad to see the decision made, I can't help but wonder why it didn't happen sooner. There's so much that could be said and debated about with Swanson at this point, but when this Cubs team is playing to the back of its collective baseball card, he's counted on for Gold Glove defense and some power and on-base skill toward the bottom of the lineup, and the offense has been non-existent for more than a month. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the Cubs need to make some changes to their lineup and strategy. One thing that stands out is that the team has been relying too heavily on their defense and power hitters, and this has led to a lack of consistency at the plate. This raises a deeper question: how can the Cubs balance their need for defense and power with the need for consistency at the plate? In my opinion, the answer lies in making small adjustments and finding the right balance between offense and defense. Moving on to the rehab assignments, it's clear that the Cubs are taking a cautious approach with their players. Matthew Boyd made what was anticipated to be his final rehab start with the Iowa Cubs, and the results were unfortunately familiar. Hopefully, some of these results are a product of "working on things" that won't be part of his game plan once he's back on a big league mound. This raises a deeper question: how can the Cubs ensure that their rehab assignments are effective and help their players return to full strength? From my perspective, the answer lies in being more proactive and making sure that players are given the right opportunities to work on their weaknesses. Finally, let's take a look at the Knoxville Smokies and Josiah Hartshorn. The Knoxville Smokies hit SIX home runs in a 14-5 win against the Birmingham Barons last night, and Josiah Hartshorn remains red-hot, hitting his ninth home run of the season. This raises a deeper question: how can the Cubs develop their young players and ensure that they are ready for the big leagues? From my perspective, the answer lies in providing them with the right opportunities and support to develop their skills and confidence. In conclusion, the Cubs are in a state of flux, but amidst the chaos, there are some shining stars that are worth celebrating. From PCA's consistent performances to Counsell's strategic moves, the team is making small adjustments and finding the right balance between offense and defense. As we move forward, it's clear that the Cubs need to continue to make small adjustments and find the right balance between their need for defense and power with the need for consistency at the plate. This will be the key to their success in the coming months.
