Corbin Burnes Struggles in Diamondbacks Loss to Cubs

Corbin Burnes continued to struggle with strikeouts and hard contact in his latest outing against the Cubs, allowing two runs over six innings but striking out only three batters. His recent starts have seen a notable decline in strikeout numbers, with just nine over his last 17 innings, despite maintaining a quality start in this game. Burnes’ hard-hit rate has surged to 54.5% this season, marking the largest year-over-year increase among MLB starters and ranking among the highest in the league. While his velocity remains steady, opposing teams have adjusted by stacking left-handed hitters against him, yet a small sample shows right-handed batters having more success. The Diamondbacks are hoping Burnes can regain his previous form as they continue a critical series against the Cubs, with playoff implications already in view. Burnes’ struggles highlight a concerning trend for Arizona, given his recent contract and expected role as staff ace.