3 players the Chicago Cubs need to come through over the final 4 weeks of the season in their playoff push – The Denver Post

The Chicago Cubs’ path to the postseason will gain clarity over the next two weeks.

They are in a stretch of playing 11 straight games against teams chasing them in the National League wild-card race. By mid-September, the Cubs have an opportunity to have a stranglehold on a playoff spot. To get there, they have three players who they need to step up over the final month of the season.

1. Dansby Swanson

The Cubs defense up the middle from second baseman Nico Hoerner and Swanson continues to play a big role in the team’s success.

But the Cubs need a lot more from Swanson offensively. Although his power numbers have ticked up over the last two months, the shortstop’s overall struggles at the plate have been pronounced during that stretch. Since July 1, Swanson is hitting .206 while owning a .283 on-base percentage and .708 OPS in his last 43 games through Saturday. His strikeout rate (30.6%) also is concerning.

Swanson has been putting the ball on the ground too much, particularly during this slump. His groundball rate is sitting at 50.5% in the last two months, well above his average GB% with the Atlanta Braves the last five years (39.1%). As a regular in either the No. 5 or 2-spot in the order, run scoring opportunities should continue to be ample for Swanson. They must get more consistency from their big free-agent acquisition.

2. Jameson Taillon

Taillon has experienced plenty of highs and lows in his first season with the Cubs. He moved past a rough first three months to put together a monthlong stretch in which he was one of the Cubs’ best starters.

The inconsistency has been one of the biggest issues surrounding Taillon’s season. What better way to end the first season of his four-year contract with a four-week performance that helps the Cubs reach the postseason?

The loss of Marcus Stroman and unknown timeline for his potential return puts a lot of pressure on Justin Steele and Kyle Hendricks to continue to deliver quality starts and on the less experienced Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks to pitch well down the stretch.

In his last four starts heading, Taillon posted a 7.84 ERA with 18 earned runs in 20⅔ innings. That won’t cut it. Taillon stepping up would go a long way in lessening the load on the rest of the rotation and help the bullpen every fifth day.

3. Christopher Morel

Morel’s walk-off three-run homer against the White Sox that sent Wrigley Field into a frenzy will go down as one of the Cubs’ best moments of the season.

Since that game, however, Morel is 4-for-29 (.138) with only one walk and 10 strikeouts.

At 24, Morel still is developing. But when he’s struggling, Morel is almost unplayable because he doesn’t draw enough walks or work counts to make him a good cog within the lineup when hits aren’t falling.

If he gets hot, Morel is capable of carrying the offense. Finding a way to get him locked in would be a game-changer for an offense that needs his power.

()