The Cubs have already allowed 46 runs in just six games this season
By James Neveau ••
Chicago Cubs fans have become used to their team making history as of late, but unlike most of their recent accomplishments, they are achieving a feat at the moment that they’d probably rather forget.
The Cubs, who won their Opening Day game against the Texas Rangers, have hit the skids hard this week, losing their last five games as their offense has spluttered and their bullpen has imploded on numerous occasions.
In fact, the Cubs are one of the worst pitching staffs in all of baseball, surrendering 46 runs in their first six games of the season. That average of over 7.5 runs per game allowed is bad, but when put into historical context, it looks even worse.
According to Christopher Kamka of NBC Sports Chicago, the 46 runs allowed by the Cubs are the most they’ve allowed in the first six games of a season since the 1901 campaign, when they allowed 57 runs in their first six contests.
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: A ball and a Chicago Bears helmet are seen on the sidelines during a preseason game between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Soldier Field on August 14, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Tackle Bobby Massie signs a four-year contract extension to remain with the Bears.
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The Bears take the first step to replace Cody Parkey, signing Redford Jones to a reserve contract.
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Another long-time Bear is let go, as linebacker Sam Acho was released.
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Bears tight end Ben Braunecker sticks around, signing a two-year contract extension.
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Offensive lineman Ted Larsen returns to the Bears, signing a one-year contract as free agency begins.
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The Bears made a move at running back, singing Mike Davis to a two-year contract.
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The Bears found their replacement for Bryce Callahan, signing Buster Skrine to a three-year contract.
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Cordarrelle Patterson signs a two-year contract with the Bears, aims to be their primary kick returner in 2019.
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After the Green Bay Packers signed Adrian Amos away from the Bears, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year contract
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3/14: Safety Adrian Amos leaves the Bears to sign a new contract with the Green Bay Packers.
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Wide receiver Marvin Hall signs a one-year contract.
Wide receiver Joshua Bellamy signs a deal with the New York Jets.
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Cornerback Bryce Callahan signs a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos, rejoining Vic Fangio.
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Wide receiver Kevin White signs a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Punter Pat O’Donnell and quarterback Tyler Bray both sign one-year contracts with the Bears.
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The Bears trade running back Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
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The Bears sign defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year deal.
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The Chicago Bears re-signed linebacker Aaron Lynch to a one-year contract. Lynch had three sacks and four tackles for loss in the 2018 season.
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The following players were signed during the offseason to reserve/future contracts: Dejon Allen, Abdullah Anderson, Willie Beavers, John Franklin III, Tanner Gentry, Cyril Grayson, Michael Joseph, Cornelius Lucas, Jonathon Mincy, Ryan Nall, James Vaughters, Jordan Williams-Lambert, Josh Woods
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G.M. Ryan Pace has aggressively been seeking to replace Cody Parkey as the team's kicker, and two players under contract were cut from the competition as Redford Jones and John Baron II were cut, while the team has decided to keep Elliott Fry and Chris Blewitt.
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The Bears signed three of their draft picks, including fourth-round pick Riley Ridley and seventh round picks Kerrith Whyte Jr. and Stephen Denmark. Third round pick David Montgomery remains unsigned, as does cornerback Duke Shelley.
To put that into historical context, the Cubs weren’t even the Cubs at that point, as they were still formally known as the Chicago Orphans. They were still 15 years away from moving into Wrigley Field, and were still at the West Side Park. Finally, their in-city rivals, the Chicago White Sox, were busy celebrating their very first year of existence the last time the Cubs had allowed this many runs to start a season.
The Cubs will have a chance to reverse that trend on Friday, but it won’t be easy, as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
