(670 The Score) A struggling Cubs team that's in dire need of the break that All-Star week brings began Sunday morning sorting through the aftermath of catcher Willson Contreras' criticism of his teammates after a 6-0 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday evening.
After the Cubs were shut out, Contreras called out his teammates for a lack of effort. Before the Cubs-Cardinals game Sunday afternoon was rained out, Chicago manager David Ross shared his view that Contreras erred in calling out his teammates in the manner he did – that is to say, publicly.
"He was frustrated," Ross said. "This is the first time he has had to be part of a team not winning. There are different things going on with him. He sees some things through a different perspective than what he has to deal with behind the plate. He was kind of vocal about that to (the media) and a lesson for him – you hopefully want to handle these things more in-house.
"Willson is a big part of our team. I think what he said last night needs to be said in-house and not to the media. I think he understands that, and that is a good lesson. I think something good will come out of this if that makes any sense. I try to have empathy with Willson playing two sides of the ball and the pitching staff not throwing up a lot of zeros at times. Also an umpire missing a pitch that cost us a lot of runs last night. Also his own offensive performance, he expects to be great at. The main focus for him is that we are all supporting one and other together."
When asked late Saturday if the Cubs' effort was there in their loss to the Cardinals, Contreras responded, "No, I don't, to be honest." He then added he felt that "everybody was distracted" and perhaps looking ahead to the All-Star break.
Contreras had conversations with Ross and some teammates Sunday.
"Those things are handled better after having had discussions with me and some teammates today," Ross said. "I think effort is something that has been here. It's not about the effort. It's about being a family and pulling for one and other while supporting one another in times (when) we are struggling. I think losing in an atmosphere that has been a winning one and guys in contract years – while playing for a city they love and teammates they have a lot of history with – takes some balancing at times. It's about being more of a family. There were conversations today. We will leave it at that."
With the rainout Sunday, the Cubs enter the All-Star break at 44-46. They've lost 13 of their past 15 games, a slide that left them trailing the NL Central-leading Brewers by 8.5 games entering action Sunday.
Ross took blame himself as well.
"I definitely want to be accountable when it comes to leadership and when things don't work out," Ros said. "I have to make sure I can be better. Talking to Willson, he said his comments were not pointed to me or the staff. He just had some frustrations he wanted to get out. Wins and losses and having the right culture in there is definitely on me."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
