Look no further than the number 3 and 4 spots in the order to find out why the Cubs have been struggling this year. Better yet, look to Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, the two constants for the Cubs over the years. May I add, the only two Cubs I trusted in a big at bat prior to this year.
Lee has been a mainstay in the number 3 hole during his seven years with the club. Normally one of the brights spots, Lee has been atrocious this year. He has accounted for 217 of the 243 at-bats taken from this 3 hole this season. He's batted only .221 with 25 RBIs in that spot.
Not much better for Ramirez who has 94 at-bats in the 4 hole, batting just .170 with 15 RBIs. Marlon Byrd has spent quite a bit of time in the 4th spot during Ramirez's absence. He's matched Ramirez with 4 HR and 15 RBIs in the same spot, but is batting a whopping 186 points higher.
Ramirez is currently on the DL, rehabbing a thumb injury. Lee, a 3-time Gold Glove winner, is coming off the worst defensive game of his career. If things are falling apart for Lee defensively, it's not out of the question to lose all hope.
Maybe a bad defensive game coupled with a season-long struggle at the plate is what Lee needed to get going this season. He roped a solo home run near the left field foul pole his first at bat of the Cubs 6-2 win, and smoked a single to right in his second. Lee went 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored on the night. In addition to his offense, he made a great defensive play at first, snagging a hard hit ball on a short bounce.
I know it's stating the obvious, but Lee needs to start putting together some quality at bats in order for the Cubs to win some games. His bad game yesterday may have humbled him the same way a stay on the DL could do to Ramirez. All will be forgiven if both players can come back and return to form in the second half of the season.
Wishful thinking, to say the least.
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