Just a couple of weeks ago, there was talk that Kyle Tucker might use Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s massive contract extension as a bargaining chip to land a big deal of his own with the Chicago Cubs. However, Tucker has recently hit a rough patch, and now the Cubs suddenly find themselves locked in a tight NL Central race with the surging St. Louis Cardinals.
Tucker’s slump couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the Cardinals have caught fire, winning 10 of their last 11 games to pull within one game of the division lead. The Cubs have relied heavily on their offense this season, and they’ll need Tucker to bounce back quickly if they hope to keep their momentum alive and make a return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Kyle Tucker’s red-hot bat has gone ice cold for Chicago
In the early weeks of the season, it looked like the Cubs had clearly come out on top in their blockbuster trade with the Astros. While Kyle Tucker’s recent slump doesn’t mean the Cubs should regret the move, it’s a reminder that he’s human and unlikely to maintain his torrid early-season pace over the course of a full 162-game schedule.
This recent dip in performance has also highlighted just how crucial Tucker is to the Cubs’ success. Chicago has gone 4-6 over its last 10 games, during which Tucker has struggled at the plate, hitting just .189 (7-for-37). After a powerful start to the year, he’s hit only one home run and driven in three runs during that stretch.
Still, there are some encouraging signs. Even in a slump, Tucker has shown patience and solid pitch recognition, drawing six walks and striking out only five times in those 10 games.
The Cubs never expected Tucker to sustain his blistering April production all season, but his cold streak has come at an inopportune time. With the Cardinals surging and the Brewers close behind in the NL Central, Chicago needs Tucker to bounce back—or someone else to step up—soon. With injuries impacting the pitching staff, the offense, led by Tucker, must shoulder the load if the Cubs are going to make a push for October.