Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong Reflects on Errors Amid Team’s Struggles

The Chicago Cubs are grappling with a tough stretch, having lost five consecutive games and relinquishing their hold on first place in the NL Central. The Milwaukee Brewers have taken advantage, sweeping the Cubs in a three-game series that saw them outscore Chicago 19-5.

With a record of 29-21, the Cubs find themselves in a tailspin, going 2-9 in their last 11 games after a remarkable start that included back-to-back 10-game win streaks—something the franchise hadn’t accomplished since 1935. The early promise of a 27-12 record now feels like a distant memory.

Among those feeling the pressure is center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has struggled notably in recent outings. After the Cubs’ latest defeat, a 5-0 loss to the Brewers, Crow-Armstrong opened up about his recent performance, which has been marred by errors. In the second inning of Wednesday’s game, he committed a critical mistake that cost the Cubs three runs. Misjudging a single hit to center, the ball slipped under his glove, allowing David Hamilton to circle the bases for what could only be described as a Little League home run.

This misstep marked Crow-Armstrong’s second error in as many days. Just the day before, he misplayed a relatively straightforward fly ball from Sal Frelick during a 5-2 loss. Fortunately for him, that error did not directly lead to runs, as pitcher Ben Brown managed to escape the jam with a couple of strikeouts.

Reflecting on his recent performances, Crow-Armstrong expressed a mix of accountability and humility. “Yesterday and today are, like, genuinely laughable,” he said, acknowledging the mental aspect of his game. “I think one thing I can fall back on is that it’s never really a lack of focus. But trying too hard and trying to make up for the lack of production that I’ve given this team and this city… I think anything physically usually starts mental, and I think that’s just what I’m showing everybody right now.”

As a first-round pick in 2020, Crow-Armstrong has quickly become a fan favorite in Chicago, known for his power at the plate and speed on the bases. However, his emotional investment in the game sometimes leads to challenges, as evidenced by recent interactions with fans during a crosstown series at the White Sox’s Rate Field, where he expressed regret for how he handled some heckling.

With a six-year extension reportedly worth $115 million signed before the season, he feels the weight of expectations. Yet, his teammates have his back. Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman voiced confidence in Crow-Armstrong, stating, “I’m not worried at all about him. I know what he puts into the game. He’s a guy that you want on your team in big games. Regardless of what he says, he’s been a difference-maker this year.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.