Cubs Drop 10th Straight in 12-1 Pirates Rout as 1-for-13 RISP Woes Deepen

15 articles · Updated · Chicago Tribune · May 27

Chicago fell to 29-26 after a 12-1 loss in Pittsburgh, its 10th straight defeat and 14th in 16 games after holding MLB’s best record less than three weeks earlier.
Jordan Wicks, making his first major-league start since September 2024, put the Cubs in an early hole by allowing eight runs in 4 1/3 innings, including a five-run first.
The offense again failed in key spots, going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 on base; during this 2-14 stretch, the Cubs have scored two or fewer runs nine times.
Manager Craig Counsell and president Jed Hoyer said the issue is execution, not coaching or process, with Hoyer stressing the same group recently won 20 of 23.
The skid has produced a rare statistical swing: Chicago is the second team in 10 years to post two 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak in one season.

How did the Cubs achieve two 10-game win streaks and a 10-game losing streak in the same season?

After giving up eight runs, is pitcher Jordan Wicks' time in the Cubs’ major league rotation already over?

Is 20-year-old rookie Konnor Griffin, with his $140M contract, already the new face of the Pittsburgh Pirates?