Overview
- After a 20-11 start in April, Cincinnati has dropped eight straight in May and fallen to last place in the NL Central, seven games behind the Cubs.
- Three losses in Chicago ended on walk-offs, and a misplay at the plate when Tyler Stephenson failed to tag Ian Happ helped turn a tight game into an 8-3 defeat that sealed a four-game sweep.
- The relief corps has unraveled to a 9.29 ERA this month with more losses and blown saves than in April, and closer Emilio Pagán is expected to miss one to two months with a hamstring strain.
- The lineup that leaned on rookie Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz has cooled, with Stewart 4-for-33 in May and the team scoring just under three runs per game during the slide.
- Unusual lapses, including tying an MLB record with seven straight walks to the Pirates and injuries to starters such as Rhett Lowder alongside a rough return for Nick Lodolo, highlight shrinking depth and shaky command.