Ross hopes ASG break offers chance to reset

CHICAGO -- The rain that fell on Wrigley Field on Sunday washed away the Cubs' scheduled game against the Cardinals and brought an early start to Chicago's All-Star break.

In some ways, it was good timing for the Cubs.

"I think the break's coming at a really good time for us," said manager David Ross, sitting in the home dugout on Sunday as a tarp protected the diamond. "It's like, clear your head and be ready to come ready to play when you come back."

• Postponed game release and ticketing information

The postponed game between the National League Central rivals will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Sept. 24. But that series is an issue for a later date. The focus Sunday was on a Cubs team dealing with some internal frustrations.

In the wake of Saturday's 6-0 loss to St. Louis, catcher Willson Contreras called out his teammates for a lack of effort, saying the group seemed "distracted" by the looming intermission. He added that he "cannot ask everybody to play like I do, or to play like [Javier] Báez and I play."

There is also the fact that Chicago has lost 13 of 15, nosedived down the division standings and is facing the prospect of losing some core players at the July 30 Trade Deadline. There are compounding layers to the frustration behind the scenes for a team that hoped to make a deep October run this fall.

"It's really hard, especially when you want to win," Contreras said after the defeat. "We're having a tough stretch, right now. I think we have to turn it around. But, like I said, it's a team effort. It's not an individual effort."

Contreras' comments led to conversations on Sunday morning. Ross noted that he met with the catcher, adding that Contreras talked to teammates as well. The manager felt it was something that should have been handled internally anyway, but the postgame media session forced the issue.

"Willson is a big part of our team," Ross said. "And I think that what he said last night needs to be said in house and not to the media. I think he understands that. I think that's a good lesson. But, I think good is going to come of it."

Ross was asked if he agreed that there has been a lack of effort of late from his team.

"I don't think it's effort. I don't think it's a focus [issue]," said the manager. "These guys are giving effort -- there's no doubt about that. The guys work and prepare. I see it daily. I think there's a sense of just making sure, when things are going bad, coming together is really important."

That last comment was what Ross said got to the heart of what Contreras was trying to convey on Saturday night. The manager said -- based on the conversations held behind closed doors on Sunday -- the catcher wanted to see players pulling together in tough moments.

"I think losing in an atmosphere that's been a part of winning [in the past]," Ross said, "and guys in contract years and playing for a city they love, an organization they have a lot of history with -- and a lot of teammates they've had history with that they care a lot about -- I think balancing that with some selfishness, at times, is probably where the balance has gotten off.

"And [that's] where Willson, I think, sees a little bit of that and wants us to get back to supporting one another and being more of a family."

Ross held himself to account for Willson (or anyone else) feeling that the "family" environment was fracturing at all.

"I've got to be better, for sure," Ross said. "I've said that multiple times. I think [with] the things that I'm trying to do here and [trying to] be the leader of this group, when things don't work out, I definitely want to be accountable and make sure that I can be better."

Now, the rainout has provided an extra day for the Cubs to hit a mental reset button as a team, given all that has transpired in the past two-plus weeks.

"There's been signs of a really good team," Ross said. "Right up here to the break, probably the last 15 or so games is where things just fell apart. Half a month I don't think's indicative of who we are, so that's a little frustrating."