Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Russ Dorsey talks Cubs' perplexing offensive slump

Episode Date: May 27, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote were joined by Yahoo Sports MLB insider Russ Dorsey to discuss the Cubs’ offensive woes during their 10-game losing streak.

This hour is brought to your bike cars for kids. Russell Dorsey, National MLB Insider for Yahoo Sports. Oh, he's fine. He doesn't need the attention. Russell will be fine. You're probably right. We're going to have a conversation about some mediums when he gets in here. I tell you that. Host of the Relay with Russ Dorsey podcast. Because of the way the rest of the American League has been,

because of the way the season has kind of gone with injuries for different teams, the White Sox have put themselves in a really good position here at, as we go into the middle of May. Insider and analysts for MLB Network and Friday night baseball on Apple TV. My eye is on which version of Pete do you get in 26? Because if you can get, we'll call it 65%, even 70% of the first half,

Pete Coral Armstrong offensively, with that same high-quality defense that we saw from him since he's gotten to the big leagues, to be honest. Then you still have a high-quality player. Russell Dorsey. I'm Russ. On 104 3, the score. The Shour.

Russ Dorsey joins us every week, and he is here today on Rahimi Harrison-Rody. He is the Major League Baseball Insider for Yahoo Sports, Major League Baseball Network, and Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV. He is the host of the shirt he's wearing The Relay with Russ Dorsey podcast. Oh!

Available on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast. The merch is out now. The merch is slowly rolling out. We have the athletic team. we're finalizing what we're going to put out to the public, but very soon people will be able to buy all their relay with the Russ and Dorsey merch. Oh my God, the Take the North has work to do. We don't have dry fit.

Wow. And you guys have been a pod for a while. Exactly. I got a wristband once. We did have Take the North wristbands. And not like an athletic wristband, like a little, you know, bracelet. You guys are saturating the wristband market. We're going to do bobbleheads next.

Hey, I'm down with that. What's up, guys? How are you? I'm doing well. So we just started our show super annoyed. Okay. Obviously because the Cubs have lost 10 in a row. Yes, they have.

And I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that the entire lineup acts like the same person. Usually on a team of veterans, somebody's in there breaking up a slump because theirs doesn't last as long as somebody else's. And, you know, people are different. And when there's nine of them hitting, you tend to think that somebody would break through. But that's not been the case. And then poor Jordan Wicks got out there and unfortunately uncorked five runs in the first inning. Got better after that, but it hasn't been ideal. No, not ideal at all.

It's so interesting that you ask that, Layla, because I was thinking about it after the game yesterday. Like, you think of the offensive profiles of a lot of guys in that Cubs lineup. And outside of PCA and Dansby that is, you know, big swing and miss, you know, when you, you know, they have power. Like there's some swing and miss that comes with that. When you talk about Bregman, you talk about Nico, you talk about Michael Bush for the most part. Like those guys' offensive profiles aren't necessarily conducive to long offensive slumps. You know, especially Nico, right? Because that's a guy that almost has this slump-proof offensive approach.

And I feel like this is the first time in a really, really long time. we've seen even him go through a long stretch where offensively it's just not there. And I don't know how they get out of it without just getting out of it, if that makes sense, right? It seems it's a very unsatisfying answer, but it's like I don't know what they can do outside of starting to hit. It's the most baseball answer that can be given. Hey, man, we're going to get out of it. And at some point, nobody knows what that point is. You're just going to hear that for a while.

Well, then maybe you've answered my question, and that is what I've been asking, and I don't expect necessarily a great answer, is it chronic? Should we be talking about offensive players the Cubs should add instead of starting pitchers? Oh, great. You know what I mean? No, I hear you. Like, is somebody that need to be replaced on the Cubs diamond? I just don't know if that solves their problem, and I don't, like, there's no trade that

you're going to make on May 27th to bring somebody in because one, no team is going to trade you somebody worth value to plug in the middle of your lineup on May 27th. Shooter shoot. I think the other part is, I know what usually happens when you have a long stretch offensively like this, and it usually leads to somebody getting fired. And it's usually the hitting coach in baseball, and it's never usually the hitting coach's problem. I don't know if that's going to happen. I don't think that's going to happen with the Cubs because I think when you hear everything that they say internally, whether it's Jed Hoyer,

whether it's, hey, the guys in the lineup have to swing the bats like we expect them to. And I think at the end of the day, like they have guys in that lineup that they expected way more out of, not a little bit, like a lot more. And so until those guys start swinging the bat, we're just going to be looking at each other. They're like, oh, one run and five, six hits, yeah? They're averaging 2.5 runs a game since May 9th. That's not some small sample size. And you know up until that point, I was reminding our audience of this,

the Cubs had had 10 comeback wins where it felt like if they were down 3 to 1 or some sort of like they were going to come back and overcome it. They also had four or five walk-off wins. things were really good. Things were really potent. Now you feel unstoppable. Two runs. We were saying that.

We were talking about the one run. I mean, they were down one to nothing and what the fifth inning on Monday. And it felt like I had to ask the question. I'm like, I can't even get out of this right now. And the other part of this is,

it's, I get it. Players are always going to say you're going to find, water find its level. You're going to play to the back of your baseball card. But what it doesn't measure is

your back of the baseball card when a team is struggling and doesn't have a good bullpen and you've already gotten the lead. There are so many variables to how those hits come. And weighted runs Creative Plus does a good job with trying to at least identify that part of it, but that part of it is not happening right now for this team. Runners in scoring position numbers.

Nico was out of his mind last year with hits with runners in scoring position. He was also in a different spot of the lineup. And partially because you had a certified bopper batting cleanup in Kyle Tucker. I think the because the runners in scoring position numbers are ugly.

I think the one thing with hitting with runners in scoring position, it's always a how do I describe it? It's not necessarily something that you can quantify from year to year. Like you could see a team that's the best at doing it one year

and then next year they are horrible at it. Like there's no necessarily rhyme or reason for it all the time. It's like one run ball game. Right. Like one run ball. That's exactly it. And so when I look at this Cubs team, it's kind of everything that can go wrong has gone

wrong offensively. And I think the thing that I'm, I would be concerned about if I'm them, you are in this stretch where you're not getting anything offensively. You're lucky lately if you can score two runs. And now your pitching staff that had pitched pretty well over the first, we'll call six weeks of the season and maybe pitching above what they actually were starting to come back to earth a little bit at a point where you really can't afford that because you're not scoring runs and now you have another situation on your hand so it is not um it's not great right now and i

can understand why craig's kind of like scratching his head and i think the other thing and cubs fans can tell me if i'm wrong in the text line um i think the one thing that doesn't make it satisfying is you talk about a lot of the players having a similar kind of offensive profile. They also have a similar way of responding to how they've played. It's very even keeled. And their manager, very even keeled, even when things are going good. And usually when, especially when you have a 10-game losing streak, you want somebody to be fired up and, like, give somebody the kick in the pants that, you know, light a fire, all the sports cliches that we like to say. that's just not them.

And so I don't know if doing that would necessarily change anything. I think they feel like doing it the way they have, eventually it has to turn. But nobody wants to hear that when you've lost 10th straight. Because it's not an answer. You're leaving it up to chance and time is the answer. And frankly, time is the answer for all of us in some way, shape, or form. And that's why when we were talking about this earlier, Ross, Carson Kelly talked to Mark and Bruce Levine on Saturday

and discuss the perilous nature of a game of inches in baseball where you're inches away from a home runner or a foul ball. And while I get that, players still have to have to find approaches to fastballs. Players still have to have hitting approaches. Your hitter should have to have approaches. Carson Kelly got two hits yesterday. I don't necessarily know that he's falling into my category of

you don't have an approach. But it just makes me wonder when he says it, what our team approach? approaches and do the individuals define their approaches enough to matter in cases like these? Ian Hap talked about it a little bit, but he's a veteran who's been at this a long time and he's had different managers. I do think the one thing with them, because I've thought about that too, while watching them, is they are a team that usually goes up there with a plan.

Like they're not just up there free swinging. No. You see teams that are just up there. All right. Three. But that's, yes, but that's just his offense profile. A defined approach for center field would be. a really good thing right now. I just don't think, I think there are a lot of issues in that

lineup, so we got to go one at a time. And for me, that's the, you know what he is. I think when it comes to like Nico, Ian Hap, Bregman, Michael Bush, like those guys are up there trying to see as many pitches as possible. They usually have a decent walk rate when they're going good. That's not a team that doesn't have an offensive plan when you're going to the plate. So usually with teams like that, they don't have the issues that the Cubs are having. I do just think like earlier in the season, everybody was hitting except Michael Bush. Now Michael Bush is the only guy hitting and nobody else is. And so I think they have gotten caught in this storm, if you want to call it that,

where everybody's kind of trying to swing their way out of this thing now. And there is some pressure building because you go from being the best team in the National League Central, one of the best teams in all in Major League Baseball to now you are in the cellar in the, you know, Central in 14 days. Three games over 500 all of a sudden, too, if you care about those kinds of things, 29 and 26 with the L10 that has occurred. Outside of the lineup, I hate asking this question because he was a first round pick, but is that going to do it for Jordan Wicks?

Like, is he, like, done? Because he can't, he's not good in relief. Had a horrible start last night and maybe he was amped up and maybe it's not fair, but is that it? I don't I don't think it can be it with all the injuries the Cubs have had You know what I mean?

It's probably not it as long as Matthew Boyd isn't in the starting rotation Yeah I think as long as they have as many injuries They have to their pitching He's going to at least get an opportunity Because you don't have Somebody else I guess I guess they just did scrape the bottom of the barrel

It feels like every guy that they've brought up from Iowa Has either gotten DFA or gotten hurt So like you kind of need somebody to throw baseball. Yeah. I mean, he did give him four and a third. Hey, he did. That means something.

You know, he wore it. That was 80 pitches. Second time through the order was a little different. Yeah. Hey, second, third, and fourth. He gave up zero runs in those innings. Hey, gross, did you say that the Cubs won the division at some point? I did.

This was last year in. It's my greatest score sin. I've had many score sins through the years and I've gone to confession for all them. But there was a point last year, Russ, before the Brewers had. had their 12-game winning streak or whatever it was. It was in June. It was June and last year. And the Cubs were just cruising, looking like they did during their 10-game winning

streaks this year. And I said, I said, that's it. The Cubs won the division. Appreciate the, nice try, Brewers. It's all over. Yes, I did. And I've been, I, there's two or three texts a day. Then Pat Murphy clip that up and.

And they had no rebate, basically. And the Brewers Clubhouse. I got a rebate. Yes, I did do that, Russ. I just say Abner because Juan is a totally different ballgame. You know what my defense is this year, though, Russ? Everybody picked the Cubs to win the division this year. That's like, that's why I think when I was on with Lawrence last week, we would always,

anytime you talk about the NL Central, there's always this, well, the Cubs are still the most talented team. I don't think you can say that anymore. I remember that conversation. You have to stop saying that. How would I answer that? Like, you're right. You're right. You can talk about the no-name Brewers as Awshucks's Pat Murr.

does, as Layla would say. I do call him all shucks Pat Murphy. When he said that we didn't know their names. Get out of here. We know who Bryce Terang is now, okay? You think I don't know

who Christian Yellages? Please. You think that I wasn't watching Orlando Arcia pinch hit yesterday for the twins? William Contreras. Don't get out. Get out of here with that mess.

Go on, Jeff, Pat Murphy. Go on. Get Pat. Go on. I don't want to hear it from you. Yes, 815. Please search and find the date

that Groh said that. We know it. Didn't I sign you guys to do that of all people, I'm the one who asked our producers. Hey, when did I make that stupid prediction last year? You keep guiltily talking about it. It was June.

Was it 8th? See, I thought it was May, but I guess it was June. No, it was definitely June. I'm glad to hear I had a little bit of discipline and restraint. Oh, you had the decency to hold off until June to say it. You said that before Memorial Day, that's why. After June 1, you kind of get whatever off. I felt like I was in the clear.

You're right. After Memorial Day were all in the clear. June 18th was the day. date? 18th, 18th. Well, well, 18th. There it is.

That is around the time that the brewers got red hot and never. Textor's actually offering to search the Odyssey app to find the date, just so they can stick it

in my face. It's beautiful. Cubs are 4 and 16 in the past 2608 says, yeah, it's not good. This is more than just the 10 game losing streak. I mean, that's it.

This is not just about that. And that's why we're talking about this. That's why we're talking about this with the, I think, proper amount of urgency. Like, this is not, this is something that we knew this lineup was capable of. And, I'm mad about it, I guess I'll say it. 815 also says. It just always makes me mad about Kyle Schwerber because he makes all of this damn thing make

sense. I'm sorry, I did not mean to make you spit out your coffee mark. I was going to do a spit take there. But it's just, duh. Tell me what it, like, it just, that every, He would make the entire thing make sense right now. That can't be the only fix, though. It was an obvious one.

It ages like five years every year, though. That's it. For every hour you spend talking about. I know I do that thing where I'm like, guys, we have to. But there are guys in this lineup that are supposed to hit. That's the fact. No superstars, though. Every major leagher is supposed to hit.

No superstars. Well, they thought they thought that they had the right lineup to score runs. You got the run prevention in there. And maybe they do. Do that? Well, that's it. Isn't chronic. We don't know.

Nobody knows. Here's the issue is that, number one, Alex Bregman had a half of a good season last year, and you know that it was the first half. You knew you were taking a little bit of a risk. I don't think you realized. I don't give him the injury because he was putting together a really, a really good season if he didn't injure his hamstring.

Did I think that it was going to linger like this the next year? No. You're also midway through a Dansy-Swanson contract where I don't know that I can expect him to bat over $225 in a season. Yeah, he's the new Alfonso Sorrion. I know, always three years left on his contract, always here. But you know what I'm saying? Like there's that piece of it.

So those are your two money guys. That's your money team, as I like to say. PCA, you're still trying to figure out who he has as a hitter. And I am not ready to just accept that that's who he's going to be. This strikeout heavy. Like, you can't just say, well, this is who he is as a hitter and then just hope he makes contact on some. Like, I don't think it's that simple with him. I think when you've committed to somebody, you're saying, yes, you are hoping that they continue to improve as a player.

but I think when you look at this lineup holistically, you build it knowing what he is today on May 27th or whenever the season started. And then you go from there because him playing, him having this offensive profile is fine if the lineup, the way you built it does what they're supposed to do. So they're just not doing that. Well, say Suzuki also, don't forget that he led the league in RBI

at the All-Star break. and that's not happening now either. His numbers was scoring position were great in the first half, and he had production in the lineup, and I feel like he was his best self. And that's also been a point of contention is just what he is supposed to be to this team. Yeah.

Over 3 last night, Biostero's O for 4. I was going to say Moises by Astero's is really fighting it. That's a wild card for me, and he always has been. They said he is going to be our Kyle Tucker report. replacement against right-handed hitters. Moises-Biasteroz was going to be their Kyle Tucker replacement. We'll talk about it. Can we come back to that after the break?

Oh, yeah, we can. It's, yeah. I think we need to. We also want to go over some audio clips that we got from Jed Hoyer. So we'll do all of that with Russ Dorsey of the Relay with Russ Dorsey podcast in studio. Next on Rahimi, Harrison Grody on the score.