Cubs Crumble Once Again in 5-4 Loss to Reds

The 2024 Chicago Cubs are becoming a massive disappointment. They're finding new ways to lose every day and no solutions appear to be in sight. After another Javier Assad gem on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds, the bullpen ruined a game that the Cubs needed to win.

If the North Siders continue down this dark path, they might see the Reds overtake them in the NL Central. The Cubs' self-inflicted wounds have grown deeper to a dangerous extent. There's not much hope to be had with a team constantly beating itself in games that are there for the taking.

Tale of the Tape

With Javier Assad on the mound, the Cubs were in good hands. Right out of the gate, the Reds were off balance with two strikeouts. Assad continues to show why he belongs in the rotation.

As Assad kept the Reds quiet for three innings, the Cubs took advantage with Ian Happ continuing his recent surge at the plate. A second-inning long ball gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead to start the scoring.

As usual, no lead is ever safe with the Cubs. The Reds evened things up in the fourth inning thanks to singles from Tyler Stephenson and Nick Martini. Those runs were the only blemishes on Assad's outing.

The Cubs' response came in the form of a bases-loaded by Ian Happ. Even with two outs, failing to capitalize on this situation marked another example of how unfortunate the Cubs' season has played out to date.

After 5.1 innings, Assad's day came to an end. He departed with the lead, leaving it up to the bullpen to keep things where they were. Drew Smyly did all he could before surrendering a tough two-run homer to Santiago Espinal. At that point, the Reds were in the driver's seat.

After Espinal's homer, things became depressingly worse for the Cubs. As things began to look up in the ninth inning, a questionable pinch-hitting decision was the focal point of the team's problems.

Patrick Wisdom was set to bat, but Craig Counsell chose Nick Madrigal to take his place. Yes, a negative WAR player was the Cubs' hope for a comeback victory.

His at-bat was rather eventful. A near-plunking became a foul ball, leading to Counsell departing the game after giving an earful to the umpires. Madrigal got to first via a force out, but the decision to send him home on Seiya Suzuki's double was baffling, to say the least.

Once again, the Cubs were a day late and a dollar short. Friday's 5-4 loss to the Reds only poured more fuel on the fire of what has become a disastrous season.

Takeaways

Nick Madrigal's time with the Cubs needs to end. The trust they're showing in the infielder is baffling, as the organization has so many young prospects waiting in the farm system.

Old friend David Bote is enjoying an uptick in production with Triple-A Iowa, but the Cubs, for whatever reason, haven't given him another opportunity. What's the point of having reinforcements if they won't be used? It's inexcusable for this to go on any longer.

At this point, it's both frustrating and embarrassing that the Cubs won't do anything about it, further adding to the criticism of their complacency with the Major League roster.

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs look to get something going Saturday in Game 2 against the Reds. It will be the battle of the aces as Justin Steele takes the mound against Reds' righty Hunter Greene. First pitch is at 6:15 PM CT and the game will air on FOX.

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