Chicago Cubs not pressing panic button despite Brewers sweep

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a four-game losing streak after being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers. Chicago knows they can’t be dropping games in the midst of their playoff push. But the Cubs aren’t pushing the panic button just yet.

At 81-66, the franchise holds a 2.5 game advantage over the competition in the Wild Card race. Outside of the Arizona Diamondbacks, every team currently not in the playoff picture is at least five games out. Chicago does have a bit of a buffer.

Outfielder Ian Happ understands the Cubs control their own playoff destiny. He and his teammates are focusing on what they can control and putting their best foot forward, via Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

“Not the series we wanted to have here,” Happ said. “But we’ve put ourselves in a position where we kind of control our own destiny. Our goal is to play playoff baseball, no matter how that shakes out.”

The Cubs next series will come against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who remain in the Wild Card mix. How Chicago responds to their recent sweep will be telling of their playoff potential.

Chicago Cubs focusing on what they can control 

In the third loss of the sweep, Kevin Gausman lasted just four innings, allowing eight hits and six earned running. It admittedly wasn’t the start he or Chicago wanted him to have. But Gausman isn’t going sulk and is instead solely focused for his next opportunity on the mound.

“We don’t have time to sulk,” Gausman said. “We’ve just got to keep our head down and keep playing really good baseball. And just continue to be confident.”

“I just need to pitch better. It comes back to execution,” he continued. “I can’t throw lazy changeups in the zone. Those are always going to get beat. I just need to be better.”

As for manager Craig Counsell, he is doing his best to avoid watching the standings. He knows the team he has is capable of competing. The Cubs re-finding their footing as soon as possible remains Counsell’s highest priority.

“Look, again, our job is to win games,” Counsell said before Wednesday’s game. “That’s what we can control. That’s what we can do. [The Wild Card race] doesn’t affect any decisions. The decisions are happening during the game here. What’s going on around the league doesn’t help us. Do we know the standings? I know the standings, yeah.”

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