CUBS POSTGAME: Alex Bregman STANDS OUT But Cubs STUMBLE in Atlanta | CHGO Cubs Podcast

The Chicago Cubs dropped a 5-2 decision to the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta, marking their third straight loss and extending a troubling offensive slump—just one hit and three runs in the last four games. Despite the frustration, hosts Justin Roman, Joey Christopoulos, and Luke Stuckmeyer emphasize that this is not a season-ending collapse, but rather a predictable cycle in a team that has already shown resilience with two 10-game winning streaks before May. They argue that the Cubs remain the best team in the NL Central at 27-15, and that losing to a dominant Braves squad—currently the best in baseball—doesn’t invalidate their talent. The real concern isn’t the loss, but the team’s inability to capitalize on early scoring chances, particularly when Grant Holmes was wild and the Cubs failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity in the first inning. The episode dives deep into the offensive struggles, spotlighting Moises Ballesteros’ slump and the mental toll of batting second, while also praising Alex Bregman’s hard-hit ball and potential resurgence. The hosts debate whether to send struggling players down to AAA, ultimately concluding it’s too early—confidence and in-game adjustment matter more than panic. They also explore trade targets, with Jacob deGrom ranked #1 despite injury risks, followed by Freddy Peralta and Nathan Eovaldi as more realistic, high-impact rentals.