The Cubs have gone 13-15 in the second half while Tucker has struggled, but they are now nine games back of the red-hot Brewers in the division and five games clear of a postseason spot. For the Cubs to make any type of postseason run, they’ll need Tucker to return to form.

Tucker, a four-time All-Star and a driving force in the Cubs’ offensive success in the first half, entered Tuesday with a .189 batting average and just four extra-base hits since the beginning of July. He said he’d never before gone this long without answers to an offensive rut.