The Chicago Cubs' hot streak quickly turns cold

• The team is nine games under .500 and 6.5 games out of first place.

Reality check: If the Cubs are going to turn their recent struggles around, they will have to win some big games soon, starting tonight at Wrigley versus first-place Pittsburgh.

• The next 11 games are versus the Pirates, Orioles and Cardinals.

The big picture: The Cubs are two seasons into a quasi-rebuilding after trading away most of the stars of their World Series run at the 2021 deadline.

• Yes, but: They also brought in big free agents like Dansby Swanson and Marcus Stroman to compete in the weak NL Central.

What we're watching: The hot seat is getting warmer for team president Jed Hoyer, who was at the helm when the team traded away most of the 2016 squad.

• Also, manager David Ross' game decision making, particularly with one of the worst bullpens in baseball, is being questioned.

The bottom line: The Cubs are in a shaky division, so they have a chance to recapture some of that early-season magic.

• But these next 11 games will go a long way in determining whether the Cubs will be playing meaningful baseball in late summer.