Full Breakdown
Cubs' Nine-Game Losing Streak Extends with 2-1 Loss to Pirates
5/26/2026, 9:24:41 PM
Background & Context: Season of Extremes
The Chicago Cubs entered the 2026 season at 29-25, sitting third in the National League Central after two separate 10-game winning streaks that briefly vaulted them to the division lead. A six-game winless homestand that began with a sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers and continued with three losses to the Houston Astros has erased that early advantage. The current nine-game skid is the longest since a 10-game slide in July-August 2022 and follows a stretch in which the Cubs have scored two runs or fewer in nine of their last 15 contests.
Core Event: 2-1 Defeat at PNC Park
On Monday, May 26, the Cubs fell 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, extending the losing streak to nine games. The decisive blow came when Pirates catcher Henry Davis launched a 413-foot solo home run off Cubs reliever Trent Thornton in the seventh inning. Pittsburgh’s bullpen—Wilber Dotel (first career win) and Gregory Soto (sixth save)—retired the final ten Cubs batters in order. Cubs starter Ben Brown delivered a quality start (six innings, one run, seven strikeouts), but the offense managed only Michael Busch’s sixth solo homer.
Data & Statistics: Offensive Collapse
In the Cubs’ last 14 games the lineup posted a .183/.289/.285 slash line, yielding a collective .574 OPS, the worst in MLB and 46 points lower than the next-worst club, the Los Angeles Angels. Designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros recorded a .068 batting average in that span, prompting calls for his removal from the lineup. The team has left seven runners on base in the recent loss and has scored two runs or fewer in nine of its last 15 outings.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the need for improvement, noting, “We’ve got to swing the bats better. We’ve got to pitch better. We need more guys contributing to good stuff.” He added that the club is “equipped to be way more consistent than this.” Starting pitcher Ben Brown praised his own performance, saying, “The guys are working hard, but we’re just not winning baseball games,” while affirming the talent and character within the clubhouse. Veteran outfielder Michael Busch described the stretch as “pretty challenging” and “hard to see the bright spots.”
Criticism & Opposition
Fans and analysts have questioned the Cubs’ roster strategy under President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer. Critics point to the offseason decisions to retain Kyle Tucker, rely on Ballesteros as DH, and prioritize “high-floor” players whose production has stalled. A Twitter user, SethC, summarized the sentiment: “The Cubs talk like a team that has fulfilled expectations regularly, but the reality of the situation is that has never been the case.” Local commentary describes the offensive slump as “impossible to ignore.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We got to play better,” — Craig Counsell, Manager, Chicago Cubs
- “The guys are working hard, but we’re just not winning baseball games,” — Ben Brown, Starting Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
- “It’s been a pretty challenging stretch, and it’s hard to see the bright spots right now,” — Michael Busch, Outfielder, Chicago Cubs
- “He’s got the power to go anywhere, honestly, just the way he’s able to drive a baseball,” — Don Kelly, Manager, Pittsburgh Pirates
- “Process-wise, it’s definitely been the best month I’ve had in the big leagues,” — Henry Davis, Catcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
What’s Next
The Cubs will start left-hander Jordan Wicks on Tuesday against Pittsburgh, hoping to halt the skid before a four-game road trip that includes three additional games versus the Pirates and three against the St. Louis Cardinals. The outcome will shape whether the club can reverse its offensive decline before the division race intensifies in June.
