{"id":79759,"date":"2025-08-18T14:48:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T14:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=79759"},"modified":"2025-08-18T14:48:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T14:48:31","slug":"cubs-craig-counsell-backs-kyle-tucker-amid-slump-its-very-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=79759","title":{"rendered":"Cubs’ Craig Counsell Backs Kyle Tucker Amid Slump: ‘It’s Very Normal’"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/main>The Chicago Cubs entered Monday down by eight games in the National League Central to the Milwaukee Brewers.<\/p>\n

With a five-game series against the Brewers slated to start Monday, the Cubs have a chance to cut into the lead. However, one of their best players has not been playing well recently.<\/p>\n

Kyle Tucker is hitting just .195 since the start of July. He has hit just one home run since then as well. His last homer came on July 19 against the Boston Red Sox. His manager, Craig Counsell,\u00a0made a statement amid the slump.<\/p>\n

“There’s a lot of trust in who the man is, and who the player is, that he’s going to get it done,” Counsell said, per The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney.<\/p>\n

Tucker received boos in the Cubs’ latest game after grounding out to first base and not running out the play. He is just as frustrated with his lack of results as the Cubs’ fan base is. However, Counsell thinks the frustration is not something to worry about.<\/p>\n

“That’s why I think it’s very normal,” Counsell said, per Mooney. “I don’t think it’s something out of character. I think he’s having a reaction to stuff.”<\/p>\n

The Cubs need Tucker to turn things around if they want to have any chance of passing the Brewers. Taking some games this week would help. The Cubs acquired Tucker to change their offense, and he did that early in the season. Now, with a new contract looming, his slump is costing him potential earnings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kyle Tucker started the season off looking like an MVP candidate for the Chicago Cubs. 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