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Players appreciate manager Craig Counsell’s ability to remain even-keeled. He has a big-picture approach that is needed throughout a 162-game season. He’s not a sentimental manager, but he’s learned his style and makes it work for him.
The Cubs (28-30), in particular, need that mindset amid a skid. The team has lost five straight series and are two games below .500.
After scoring the sixth-most runs in the majors last season, the offense has taken a huge step back. According to that offensive wins above replacement (7.5), outfielder Mike Tauchman has been the Cubs’ best hitter this season.