The Chicago Cubs decided to bench outfielder Kyle Tucker for Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, aiming to provide the 2025 National League All-Star with a mental reset after a difficult stretch at the plate. The move came as the team sought to end Tucker’s ongoing slump during the second half of the MLB season.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced the plan on Monday, explaining that Tucker would also sit out the second game of the scheduled doubleheader, which was postponed to Tuesday due to weather conditions. Counsell emphasized the need for a break:
“We’re going to have to take a little step back here, for sure, and just give him some days off to reset,”
he told reporters.
“We’re not coming up with solutions for him, and he’s not coming up with solutions. So sometimes you have to take some steps back to go forward again.”
Pressure Mounts as Tucker’s Performance Declines
There was no clear timeline for how long Tucker would remain out of the Cubs lineup, but his recent struggles have been a cause of concern. Fans voiced frustration during Monday’s game, booing Tucker as he continued to struggle offensively.
“The fans are frustrated and Kyle’s frustrated,”
Counsell acknowledged.
“It’s unfortunate, because when you make outs, it doesn’t look great. But he’s trying. It’s just not clicking.”
Tucker went 0-for-4 in Monday’s 7-0 loss to the Brewers, extending his slump to 2-for-25 (.080) over the last seven games. After a strong first half with a .280 batting average, 17 home runs, and 56 RBIs through 95 games before the All-Star break, Tucker has seen his production drop sharply. In the 26 games since the break, he has batted just .182 with one home run and six RBIs.
Background on Tucker and Team Context
Kyle Tucker joined the Cubs in a high-profile trade with the Houston Astros during the offseason and immediately made an impact. He helped propel the Cubs to a 54-36 record by early July, securing a four-game lead in the National League Central. However, as the team entered Tuesday’s game, the Cubs held a 70-54 record and trailed the Brewers by nine games in the division race.
While the pitching staff has remained reliable, the team’s offense—including Tucker—has waned, contributing to their recent struggles. Despite this, the Cubs remain contenders for one of the three National League wild-card spots as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Young Players Step Up in Tucker’s Absence
In Tucker’s place, rookie Owen Caissie started in right field and batted sixth for the Cubs in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Since his major league debut just days earlier, Caissie has been gaining experience, entering Tuesday’s game with a 1-for-8 career mark in three games. He secured his first career hit on Monday and followed it up with a two-run single in the first inning Tuesday, sparking the Cubs’ first early tally in nine games.
Ian Happ replaced Tucker in the lineup’s No. 2 spot, contributing a double in his first at-bat coming out of the two-hole. These lineup adjustments highlight the Cubs’ willingness to experiment with younger talent as they seek to regain momentum.
Kyle Tucker’s Career Highlights and Prospects
The 28-year-old Tucker is a well-decorated player with four All-Star selections, a 2022 Gold Glove, and a 2023 Silver Slugger Award to his name. Over 754 career games spanning his time with the Houston Astros and Cubs, he maintains a .272 batting average with 143 home runs and 479 RBIs. His current slump stands as an unexpected hurdle for a player of his caliber as he works to regain form and help his team’s playoff push.
The Cubs now face a critical period as they balance giving Tucker necessary rest with maintaining their competitiveness. How Tucker responds to this reset and how the emerging players continue to perform will play a significant role in Chicago’s pursuit of postseason success.