What we’re hearing about the Cubs’ downward spiral: lineup issues, pitching plans, trade deadline

It’s not a great marketing slogan for Wrigley Field, but Cubs manager Craig Counsell perfectly summed up the experience of watching this offense fail to deliver in clutch situations: “It makes you sit in discomfort.” With Cubs fans getting restless, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open their notebooks to share information on why Counsell is mostly sticking with his guys, when the rotation should get some reinforcements and how this prolonged slump could impact the front office’s approach to the trade deadline. 🌶️See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.