Cubs Experience Unpredictable Streaks in 2026 MLB Season

The Chicago Cubs have exhibited an unusual pattern of performance in the 2026 MLB season. As of June, the team has recorded two 10-game winning streaks and one 10-game losing streak. These swings have left their record at 31-27 as they prepared to face the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Offensive Fluctuations

The Cubs’ hitting performance has shown significant variation. In March and April, the team hit .261 with a .780 OPS, scoring an average of 5.5 runs and 1.4 home runs per game. Comparatively, by the end of May, their average fell to .213 with a .656 OPS, scoring 4.0 runs and 0.9 home runs per game. Manager Craig Counsell remarked on these inconsistencies, noting the team’s 10-game winning streak to start May, which saw them score 59 runs, contrasted with the subsequent 10-game losing streak where they managed only 25 runs.

Ian Happ’s Streaks

Outfielder Ian Happ has embodied these streaks. He went 7-for-15 with three home runs and 10 RBI in a recent three-game stretch after a slump where he hit .172 in 27 games. Counsell acknowledged the confounding nature of baseball’s streaks and commended Happ’s performance during his hot streak.

Pitching Performance

Starting pitcher Ben Brown has been a standout with a 1.89 ERA over his last four starts. Brown’s improvement is linked to the addition of a sinker and changeup to his pitching arsenal, alongside his existing four-seam fastball and knuckle-curve. Counsell credited Brown’s added confidence and experience from being on last season’s postseason roster.

Cardinals’ Marketing Strategy

The Cardinals have capitalized on the “Tarps Off” fan trend, where fans in the right-field bleachers remove their shirts and wave them around. Initially started by a group of young fans, the Cardinals’ marketing team has commercialized the trend with towels and promotional efforts.

A Rivalry Remembered

The Cubs and Cardinals rivalry remains intense, with their 2,528th game played recently. One memorable moment from June 2011 involved Cubs player Carlos Zambrano expressing his frustration after a game against the Cardinals, capturing the sentiments of Cubs fans over the years.