Overview

• In Friday’s 3–2 loss to the Pirates at Wrigley Field, Pete Crow-Armstrong overslid second base on a ninth-inning steal attempt, ending the Cubs’ comeback bid.
• Crow-Armstrong has gone 3-for-37 since the All-Star break and hit just .073 in August, marking a pronounced downturn after a breakout first half.
• The Cubs’ broader lineup has cooled markedly, leaving the team eight games behind in the NL Central and struggling to generate runs.
• Manager Craig Counsell defended the aggressive baserunning strategy around Crow-Armstrong, saying he will continue to take risks with his speed despite potential costs.
• Although Crow-Armstrong still ranks second in the National League with a 5.5 fWAR, his recent collapse has clouded earlier extension talks for a $100 million-plus deal.