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The Chicago Cubs<\/a> are trending up again after taking the weekend series from the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>. But that doesn’t mask a growing problem on the North Side.<\/p>\n Third baseman Alex Bregman continued a season-long struggle in Sunday’s 4-3 extra innings win, his play raising serious concerns for Chicago’s $175M man. He finished 0-for-4 at the plate, including 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, with a strikeout, only to be bailed out by teammates as the Cubs improved to 8-2 over their final 10 games.<\/p>\n With underwhelming production halfway through his first season in Chicago after signing a five-year, $175M contract<\/a> during free agency, the Cubs have a growing problem at the hot corner.<\/p>\n Following Sunday, Bregman has a career-low .239 batting average. His on-base percentage (.336) and slugging percentage (.335) are also well below his career averages, with the three-time All-Star only hitting six home runs and driving in 27 runs through 82 games.<\/p>\n He’s been one of MLB<\/a>‘s worst situational hitters, going 15-for-92 (.163) with runners in scoring position this season after his 0-for-2 performance against the Brewers, per FanGraphs<\/a>. According to Baseball Reference<\/a>, Bregman entered Sunday with the league’s fourth-most baserunners (253) when at the plate but only drove in 22. The 8.7 percent baserunner score rate is the sixth-worst among batters who’ve inherited at least 100 baserunners. Since June 1, Bregman has a .181\/.323\/.253 slash line with one home run and 14 strikeouts in 83 at-bats.<\/p>\n The struggles have been so pronounced that the Brewers intentionally walked centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to get to the two-time World Series champ in the top of the 10th. The plan backfired, but only because reliever Joel Kuhnel hit Bregman with a pitch, which led to first baseman Michael Busch and designated hitter Seiya Suzuki driving in the winning runs.<\/p>\n The hitting struggles are one thing, but that isn’t the only place Bregman is coming up short. Earlier against Milwaukee, he hit a slow roller bobbled by Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt but was thrown out at first after jogging down the line.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nAlex Bregman struggles continue as Cubs escape with 4-3 extra-innings win over Brewers<\/h2>\n