Cubs Losing Streak Continues: Are Home Runs the Real Problem? September 20, 2025 Analysis

The Chicago Cubs suffered another frustrating loss on September 20, 2025, falling to the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 6-3. While the final score might suggest a relatively close game, the manner of defeat is becoming an all-too-familiar narrative for Cubs fans: an inability to contain the long ball.

The Bleacher Nation article highlighted the issue succinctly: “The Cubs once again lost by giving up too many homers.” This seemingly simple statement encapsulates a deeper problem plaguing the team as they desperately try to secure a Wild Card berth. While the offense has shown flashes of brilliance, the pitching staff’s vulnerability to home runs is proving to be a major Achilles’ heel.

The Reds managed to launch three home runs in the game, accounting for half of their runs. This highlights the Cubs’ struggle to keep runners off base and then prevent those runners from scoring via the home run. Are opposing batters simply getting lucky, or is there a deeper issue with the pitching approach?

One potential explanation lies in the Cubs’ pitching philosophy. Are they leaving too many pitches over the heart of the plate? Are they struggling to locate breaking balls effectively? A deeper dive into the pitch data from the game would be necessary to provide a more definitive answer. Furthermore, the defensive positioning of the outfield could also be a contributing factor. Poor positioning could turn potential doubles into triples, ultimately increasing the likelihood of a run-scoring play, including a home run.

Beyond the pitching issues, the Cubs’ offensive performance also deserves scrutiny. While they managed to score three runs, they failed to capitalize on several opportunities with runners in scoring position. Leaving runners stranded on base ultimately puts more pressure on the pitching staff to be flawless, a difficult task in today’s high-offense environment. The Cubs need to find a way to manufacture runs, not just rely on the occasional home run themselves.

The article also touches on the precarious nature of the Cubs’ Wild Card hopes, suggesting they shouldn’t rely on “backdooring” their way into the playoffs. This is a crucial point. Relying on other teams to lose is not a sustainable strategy. The Cubs need to take control of their own destiny by winning games consistently, and that starts with addressing their home run problem on the pitching side and improving their situational hitting on offense. Failure to do so could result in a disappointing end to what started as a promising season.

Ultimately, the Cubs’ September 20th loss serves as a microcosm of their season: a team with potential undermined by inconsistency and an inability to prevent the big inning. If they hope to contend for a playoff spot, these issues need to be addressed quickly.