Win over Brewers can't mask growing Cubs problem

The Chicago Cubs are trending up again after taking the weekend series from the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. But that doesn't mask a growing problem on the North Side.

Third baseman Alex Bregman continued a season-long struggle in Sunday's 4-3 extra innings win, his play raising serious concerns for Chicago's $175M man. He finished 0-for-4 at the plate, including 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, with a strikeout, only to be bailed out by teammates as the Cubs improved to 8-2 over their final 10 games.

With underwhelming production halfway through his first season in Chicago after signing a five-year, $175M contract during free agency, the Cubs have a growing problem at the hot corner.

Alex Bregman struggles continue as Cubs escape with 4-3 extra-innings win over Brewers

Following Sunday, Bregman has a career-low .239 batting average. His on-base percentage (.336) and slugging percentage (.335) are also well below his career averages, with the three-time All-Star only hitting six home runs and driving in 27 runs through 82 games.

He's been one of MLB's worst situational hitters, going 15-for-92 (.163) with runners in scoring position this season after his 0-for-2 performance against the Brewers, per FanGraphs. According to Baseball Reference, Bregman entered Sunday with the league's fourth-most baserunners (253) when at the plate but only drove in 22. The 8.7 percent baserunner score rate is the sixth-worst among batters who've inherited at least 100 baserunners. Since June 1, Bregman has a .181/.323/.253 slash line with one home run and 14 strikeouts in 83 at-bats.

The struggles have been so pronounced that the Brewers intentionally walked centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to get to the two-time World Series champ in the top of the 10th. The plan backfired, but only because reliever Joel Kuhnel hit Bregman with a pitch, which led to first baseman Michael Busch and designated hitter Seiya Suzuki driving in the winning runs.

The hitting struggles are one thing, but that isn't the only place Bregman is coming up short. Earlier against Milwaukee, he hit a slow roller bobbled by Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt but was thrown out at first after jogging down the line.