Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/16/24): Cardinals 2, Cubs 1 – Offense Sputters Again in Loss

Even with favorable hitting conditions, the Cubs offense continued to do next to nothing on Sunday against the Cardinals. St. Louis was able to make just one swing of the bat, a two-run home run from Pedro Pagés, stand up to hand Chicago yet another one-run defeat.

Jameson Taillon did a very good job Sunday with six strong innings of work, allowing just the 2nd inning shot to Pagés. In a very familiar story, however, Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas was even better as he kept the Cubs off the scoreboard into the 7th.

Ian Happ doubled off of Mikolas in that frame to end the starter’s afternoon, then he came home when Michael Busch singled against Ryan Fernandez. The North Siders got the tying run into scoring position in each of the last two innings but came up empty, including on a fly ball to the warning track off the bat of pinch-hitter Patrick Wisdom that ended the 2-1 Cards win. (Box score)

Key Moment

The Cubs were once again bad when it mattered most, going 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They came up short numerous times when they could have tied the game.

Why the Cubs Lost

Can’t blame the pitching or the defense for this loss. It was 100% on a really anemic offense that can’t do much of anything at the moment.

Stats That Matter

• Taillon is just the latest Cubs pitcher to be completely let down by his lineup: 6 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 3 K, and 2 BB.
• Happ had a single and a walk to go along with his double.

Bottom Line

The Cubs currently have a lineup that just cannot score runs. They have very limited power and have to manufacture offense, but they can’t hit with runners in scoring position. If you can’t hit home runs and you can’t string together singles, there’s not much you can do. It’s very hard to see that dynamic changing any time soon.

On Deck

The Cubs try to look for answers when the Giants come to town for three starting Monday at 7:05pm CT. Javier Assad gets the start for Chicago and San Francisco goes with Jordan Hicks in a game available on Marquee and 670 The Score.