Cubs Rout Cardinals But Struggle With Consistency

The Chicago Cubs recently secured a commanding 9-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, featuring Michael Busch's home run and three RBIs during a decisive early rally. Despite this win, the Cubs have faced ongoing offensive inconsistency, with key players like Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki slumping and a weak trade deadline leaving the pitching staff exposed. Bullpen issues remain, as highlighted by Andrew Kittredge allowing four runs in a 5-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds after a strong start from Shota Imanaga. The team's offense has regressed since a strong start to the season, and management acknowledges the need for a turnaround. Imanaga continues to be a reliable presence in the rotation, but the Cubs remain five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. The team’s postseason hopes hinge on improved offense and pitching stability as the season advances.