At Long Last, Lineup Changes Are Coming for the Chicago Cubs - Bleacher Nation

The Cubs experienced another day of limited run production at Wrigley Field, getting many runners on base while failing to drive them in. The team’s offensive inefficiency left them with multiple runners stranded and a poor record with runners in scoring position. Manager Craig Counsell stated that something different is required because confidence and at-bats appear shaken. He suggested a different look in the lineup and also mentioned the possibility of one or more days off. A lineup shakeup may not fix underlying problems immediately, but it could affect player mentality. Ian Happ is identified as a likely candidate for rest after a stretch with an unusually high strikeout total.

""I think we have to do something different" said Craig Counsell via Bruce Levine, "It feels like some at bats and confidence is shaken. Maybe a different look in the lineup, or a day off is needed. I think we are at point absolutely.""

"Strictly (or statistically) speaking, changing the lineup is unlikely to solve the Cubs' issues all at once. For the most part, it's going to be the same guys, with the same weaknesses, against the same pitchers. Just in a different order. We simply have enough data these days to know that a lineup shakeup doesn't usually result in instant relief."

"But we also know that these are real people, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. And sometimes, a little shakeup can change a player's mentality and, who knows, maybe that changes things. Or, maybe things would've changed anyway, but like "Michael's Secret Stuff" in Space Jam, the placebo effect takes hold and makes a difference. Either way, what else are you going to do ... nothing?"

"But notice Counsell didn't only talk about a lineup change, he also mentioned the possibility of one or multiple days off. And I think Ian Happ is probably the most obvious first candidate for that treatment. Since April 24 (his last 112 PAs, including today), Happ has struck out an absurd 42(!) times, which is the most"

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