Cubs Facing Kyle Tucker Decision After Loss to Blue Jays

Cubs Facing Kyle Tucker Decision After Loss to Blue Jays originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs have seen their NL Central division hopes evaporate, with the Milwaukee Brewers jumping out to an eight-game lead with just under two months remaining in the regular season.

The Cubs have struggled offensively in the month of August, producing just 35 runs over 12 games, ranking 29th in MLB.

The offensive struggles can be attributed primarily to offseason blockbuster trade acquisition Kyle Tucker, who got off to a hot start in Chicago but has cooled off drastically since then.

During the first half, the left-handed slugger posted a .280 batting average, .882 OPS, and 17 home runs, leading to his fourth consecutive All-Star selection—his first with the Cubs.

After Hot Start, Kyle Tucker’s Bat Has Gone Cold for Chicago

Since the All-Star Break, however, Tucker has batted just .200 with a .635 OPS and one home run in 17 games.

Most recently, his struggles continued as he went 0-for-11 with no walks and two strikeouts in a series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, including 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the 2–1 loss during the final matchup of the three-game set.

Kyle Tucker this week in Toronto:

0-11
0 BB
2 SO

Hitting .150 in 11 games this month. pic.twitter.com/jAjvIsXcHF

— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 14, 2025

Cubs Fans Call for Tucker's Removal From Lineup

Cubs fans on X began calling for Tucker to be benched until he figures it out offensively.

"I want Kyle Tucker off the Cubs. I don’t give a flying [expletive] if he turns it around this has been going on for too long," said one fan.

Another wrote, "Frustrating game. Cubs offense is just nonexistent right now. Give Kyle Tucker, Suzuki, and Happ time off vs Pirates."

"If Kyle Tucker and Ian happ are in tomorrow's lineup tomorrow I'm not watching," added one more.

"It's time to bench Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ has to be off this team somehow next year, and I'm starting to see why Brewers underachieved with Craig Counsell," said another.

One fan addressed Tucker's future with the team, "A Kyle Tucker extension is no longer on my Christmas wishlist."

Craig Counsell Facing Decision on Slumping Slugger

Manager Craig Counsell is now faced with a decision on whether to give his struggling superstar a day off as the Cubs face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Tucker had already received a mental reset day last Wednesday, being removed from the lineup before a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

More importantly, the franchise must now weigh its options on whether to offer Tucker a lucrative contract in free agency. Recent reports indicate his deal could be north of $400 million, and Tucker will enter unrestricted free agency after this season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.