Rough Patch for Patrick Wisdom, Who Isn’t Even Hitting Lefties Right Now

Last night in San Diego, Patrick Wisdom went 0-4 at the plate with three strikeouts and a groundout. It wasn’t the only bad offensive showing of the night for the Chicago Cubs, but it was certainly the most disappointing. Why? Because all four of Wisdom’s plate appearances came against left-handed pitching, which is, you know, if nothing else, supposed to be his thing.

You convince yourself to deal with all of Wisdom’s strikeouts and mediocre results against right-handed pitching for two reasons: (1) he’ll hit more dingers than pretty much anyone else on the active roster and (2) he is supposed to *crush* left-handed pitching whenever he gets the chance. But last night? It was ugly.

Starter Blake Snell struck Wisdom out twice, before getting him to ground out softly in the sixth (73.1 MPH exit velocity). And Padres reliever Tim Hill struck him out swinging on five pitches in the ninth. Mind you, these are not guys with reverse splits for their careers, or anything like that. Wisdom, who was batting fifth because of his historic success against left-handed pitching, should have been a contributor. And he wasn’t.

Hey, it’s just one game, so whatever. Right? Well …

Unfortunately, that performance wasn’t particularly surprising given the way things have gone for him lately. Overall, Wisdom has just one hit (a single) in his last six games (21 PAs), and is slashing just .157/.259/.324 (62 wRC+) in his last 117 plate appearances dating all the way back to April 22.

That is bruuuuuutal.

But it gets worse. In his last 51 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers only, Wisdom is slashing just .170/.235/.298 (45 wRC+), with a 41.2% strikeout rate.

Can’t have that.

So what is the deal here? What is the plan? Wisdom’s defense has been mostly solid (though he did have a costly misplay last night) and it’s not like Christopher Morel or Miles Mastrobuoni or Nick Madrigal are obvious solutions. But Wisdom is not getting it done right now, not even against his should-be strength (which, by the way, is the weak side of the platoon). So basically, what I’m saying is the Cubs are screwed until and unless Wisdom bounces back.

Speaking more broadly, the problem with Wisdom not producing right now underscores where the Cubs have serious holes.

Even if you’re happy with the individual performances from your starters in left, center, right, short, second, and catcher (which, hey … I am!), playing with virtually no contributions from your third baseman, first baseman, or DH is not sustainable. And that’s what the Cubs are trying to do.

In terms of first base, maybe you can get really creative (and hopeful), letting Cody Bellinger take some starts there while Mike Tauchman rides out his hot streak in center? And at DH, maybe you can find a way to incorporate Miguel Amaya and Yan Gomes, the way the Cubs did last night. None of that is perfect, but it’s at least an option. But what the heck are the Cubs going to do at third? They have no internal solution right now, outside of the hope of a Wisdom bounce-back.

That’s why yesterday I explored going outside of the organization for an old friend who could play third with plus defense and handle righties well. But it’s becoming increasingly tough to envision this team as a buyer, even at the margins, even where they could use the help the most. Tough times.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

The First Chicago Cubs Lineup of the Year is Here!

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Latest News

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta...

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-226) in a season-opening matchup with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on ARID, live from Chase Field.Arizona's Zac Gallen...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-155) in a season-opening matchup with the Boston Red Sox. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on NESN, live from T-Mobile Park.Luis Castillo...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians begin their season as -156 favorites in a road tilt against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Shane Bieber gets the start, and he'll go against Oakland's Alex Wood.Guardians vs. Athletics...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Damian Lillard make four 3-pointers when the Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for...

more cubs news