Cubs' Dansby Swanson drops to eighth in lineup amid offensive struggles

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is enduring one of the worst slumps of his career, with his batting average dropping to .181 and a significant increase in strikeouts. In response to his struggles at the plate, manager Craig Counsell moved Swanson down to the eighth spot in the batting order, a notable shift from his usual fifth position. Despite these offensive woes, Swanson remains committed to improving his approach and has maintained strong defensive play. The Cubs have managed to continue winning games even as Swanson's performance falters, but analysts caution that sustained team success may depend on Swanson eventually breaking out of his slump. Meanwhile, catcher Carson Kelly has excelled offensively, prompting his move up in the lineup, further highlighting the contrast with Swanson’s current struggles. Swanson acknowledges his slow start but is focused on staying mentally resilient and contributing in other ways as he works to regain his form.