Fansided

MLB All-Star break: 10 biggest storylines of 2017

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 05: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees in action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on July 5, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 7-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 05: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees in action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on July 5, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 7-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JULY 08: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs (L) and Jason Heyward #22 (R) react at the end of the second inning during their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on July 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 4-2. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 08: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs (L) and Jason Heyward #22 (R) react at the end of the second inning during their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on July 8, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 4-2. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

3. The Cubs are stuck in neutral

With only closer Wade Davis making the All-Star team, the Chicago Cubs have become the first World Series champion since the All-Star Game began back in 1933 not to send a returning player to the Midsummer Classic. The Cubs have been mired in a season-long slump and hit the break with a sub-.500 record at 43-45.

There is no one person to blame for the Cubs struggles this season. Perhaps manager Joe Maddon stuck with Kyle Schwarber as his leadoff man for too long. Maybe Ben Zobrist is taking too many at-bats from rookie Ian Happ. Jason Heyward’s contract still looks like a colossal bust. Jon Lester has a losing record at the break, while Jake Arrieta’s command has continued to regress.

It was an ugly first half for the Cubs, and they did not look like the defending champs at any point. They have not been more than four games over .500, and have been out of first place for over a month. There is no easy fix for this team, and it will come down to more than one key contributor stepping up and playing close to 2015 and 2016 levels. The Cubs offense has been stagnant, while their rotation has been inconsistent. That is not a recipe for success, no matter how high the expectations were on Opening Day.

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