3 numbers that define the Chicago Cubs’ ugly 2-7 road trip, including the pitching staff’s struggles and Christopher Morel’s hot streak

The Chicago Cubs can only hope a day off and a return home provide a reset.

After a 2-7 trip to Minnesota, Houston and Philadelphia that featured blowouts and demoralizing losses, the Cubs must regroup ahead of a pivotal homestand. They returned to Chicago on Sunday night sitting fourth in the division, one game ahead of the last-place Cincinnati Reds, who come to Wrigley Field this weekend for a three-game series.

“Realistically, we’ve just got to be better,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Phillies. “If you want to compete in this league consistently, you’ve got to play well and you’ve got to prepare well.

“At the end of the day, we’ve got to be better and we will. We’ve got a lot of great players in here, a lot of great track records….