The Cubs Offense Misses Seiya Suzuki
There are high expectations for the Cubs’ offense this year after its success last season. The offense had the fifth-most runs in the Major Leagues, and that was largely due to the slugging capability of that group.
The Cubbies had the sixth-highest slugging percentage, and at the root of that slug was Seiya Suzuki.
Suzuki was two home runs short of leading the team in home runs and has bolstered this lineup since 2022.
Through seven games in the young 2026 MLB Season, the Chicago Cubs are 3-4. While this offense has been productive, some games feel out of rhythm.
There can be several reasons for this: Is it the start of a new season? Has Craig Counsell not found the right lineup yet?
Or is it the fact that one of the best hitters on the team is injured and not able to contribute? That’s the one.
Suzuki suffered an injury during the World Baseball Classic and has yet to join the Cubs for big league action. While his defense is missed, his offense is truly irreplaceable. In losses this season, the Cubs have averaged two runs per game. In games the Cubs win, they score roughly 8 runs per game. This margin speaks to the stability that Seiya Suzuki offers and what problem he could solve upon his return. Manager Craig Counsell has also changed the lineup order recently, which is the result of a slumping offense. A good, consistent offense has continuity in its lineup, which allows players to settle into one slot. Fluctuations in any batting order are normal, but ideally, changes are minor and rare. To close the gap in runs per game and provide more consistency to this team, the return of an All-Star caliber slugger might do the trick.
During his brief absence, a group of players has seen increased playing time. Matt Shaw has picked up the majority of the action in right field, as Moisés Ballesteros and Miguel Amaya have gotten more at-bats.
These three have made Seiya’s injury less of a factor with their success thus far, but they can only do so much. The potential of Suzuki’s bat and the presence he has in the lineup are invaluable.
A season ago, Suzuki hit thirty-two home runs, had one hundred and three runs batted in, and an OPS of .804. He was a centerpiece in one of the most potent lineups in baseball, and he will add a needed improvement to the current lineup. As the Cubs are in the midst of their third series of the young 2026 season, they rank twenty-fourth in slugging percentage. This statistic shows the rough start the Cubs have had to this season, but they have still managed to win almost half of their games.
The bats haven’t been what most suspected they would be, but the offense will reach new heights once Suzuki comes back.
It is only a matter of time until the Cubs achieve the sky-high predictions that were around this team before the season began.
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Categorized:Cubs