{"id":698755,"date":"2026-06-12T01:03:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T01:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/698755\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T01:03:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T01:03:19","slug":"seiya-suzuki-backs-cubs-confidence-in-turnaround-with-sweep-avoiding-slam-as-power-bats-finally-show-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/698755\/","title":{"rendered":"Seiya Suzuki backs Cubs\u2019 confidence in turnaround with sweep-avoiding slam as power bats finally show up"},"content":{"rendered":"

DENVER \u2014 It\u2019s too early to say whether Seiya Suzuki slammed the Cubs<\/a> out of their early-summer freefall.<\/p>\n

But boy, did this team need a hit like that one.<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s struggles with runners in scoring position have received plenty of attention during what\u2019s become a monthlong losing stretch, but its lack of power has been just as glaring.<\/p>\n

Though they got a solo homer in each of the first two games of their series in mile-high Colorado, the typically hitter-friendly conditions did little to goose the Cubs\u2019 sputtering bats.<\/p>\n

Until the fourth inning Thursday, that is, when Suzuki came through with the knock his team has so frequently failed to deliver over the past several weeks, sending a grand slam out to left field to flip a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead.<\/p>\n

The Cubs rode onto a 9-3 win \u2014 one that also featured Alex Bregman and Carson Kelly leaving the yard in the team\u2019s first three-homer game since late April \u2014 to avoid being swept by the Rockies.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a team, in those opportunities, we haven\u2019t gotten that one hit,\u201d Suzuki said through an interpreter. \u201cToday, we can use that as a breakthrough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only a couple hours earlier, manager Craig Counsell lamented his team\u2019s lack of power. Coming into Thursday, the Cubs owned a .332 slugging percentage that ranked as baseball\u2019s lowest since May 9, the day after they completed the second of their two 10-game win streaks this season.<\/p>\n

Suzuki\u2019s slam and some long-awaited pop from the team\u2019s big free-agent addition served as a nice remedy.<\/p>\n

But will it be more than just a temporary one?<\/p>\n

Just recently, the Cubs experienced some false monkey-off-their-backs moments with walk-off wins at Wrigley Field that preceded more losing.<\/p>\n

Inside a victorious postgame locker room Thursday, no one was ready to claim this win as a season-saver.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have maybe three guys playing to their potential. So we\u2019ve got a lot of work to do, and we\u2019ve got to be better,\u201d Bregman said. \u201cWe\u2019re way better of a ballclub than we\u2019ve shown. We\u2019ve got to look in the mirror and figure out a way to get it done on the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to play better. Today was a good step in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even if one win doesn\u2019t start a turnaround, the Cubs remain confident one is coming eventually.<\/p>\n

Why? With this roster, they believe it has to.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have very good offensive players. They\u2019ve shown that this year,\u201d Counsell said before the game. \u201cThe length [of the losing stretch], yeah, it\u2019s surprising, absolutely. And it\u2019s challenging. We\u2019re all trying to do our best to put it in the right direction. We haven\u2019t been able to come up with solutions so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have very talented, good players, and that absolutely creates optimism.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cit\u2019s a long season\u201d argument doesn\u2019t sit well with frustrated fans who want improved results and want them now. But there is plenty of time left in baseball\u2019s marathon for the Cubs to get back on track.<\/p>\n

Losing in May and June hasn\u2019t changed this team\u2019s expectations for what they\u2019ll be doing in October.<\/p>\n

The problem, as has been the case in recent years, is that getting back on track doesn\u2019t necessarily mean catching the Brewers. The Cubs woke up in the Mile High City a seeming mile from first place Thursday, eight games back after falling to .500 the night before.<\/p>\n

Baseball\u2019s expanded postseason means the Cubs\u2019 playoff and championship dreams are in no way dashed, should they make the turnaround they believe they can.<\/p>\n

But will the Brewers let them back in the division race? Or will it be \u201cwild card or bust\u201d for a team that was thinking \u201cWorld Series or bust\u201d a month ago?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of very established players that have done great things in this league,\u201d second baseman Nico Hoerner told the Sun-Times, \u201cbut the game doesn\u2019t care about that. It\u2019s all about the next pitch and what you\u2019re onto next.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think the confidence in our group has changed at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cubs\u2019 skipper was \u201cshocked\u201d that umpires didn\u2019t reverse a bizarre double-play call in Thursday\u2019s win over the Rockies, and he was tossed after letting them know it.<\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
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read<\/p>\n

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\"Cubs<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cubs\u2019 struggling bats might be causing the most fan frustration, but the arms haven\u2019t been much better, allowing more homers than any team in baseball.<\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
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read<\/p>\n

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\"Cubs<\/p>\n

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The team\u2019s Opening Day starter won\u2019t make his comeback from knee surgery this weekend after experiencing shoulder soreness during a recent bullpen session, yet another injury-related woe for the Cubs\u2019 rotation.<\/p>\n

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