Marlon Byrd Not The Word
Marlon Byrd isn’t hitting his weight. In fact, he’s not even close to it.
His .081 batting average is the result of 3 hits in 37 at-bats–and it gets worse.
Since going 1-for-4 with an RBI on Opening Day, Byrd has endured an 0-for-20 stretch, struck out out nine times, manage but two walks and was thrown out in his lone steal attempt.
In Late/Close game situations, a crucial spot for any club, but particularly the Cubs who are starved for offense, Byrd leads the team with five at-bats, of which he’s gone hitless with three strikeouts.
No better with RISP: 11 at-bats, one hit. Only Soriano (15) has had more chances to drive in runs.
Byrd’s struggles at the plate can’t be categorized as a ‘slump’. It’s something far more wicked, something beyond ‘Jacque Jones’ territory.
Regardless of what that might be, there’s no uncertainty Dale Sveum needs to pull Byrd from the everyday lineup, where he’s been in 11 of the first 12 games.
