CINCINNATI — In the last three days, the Nos. 2-5 spots in the National League Central standings have been rearranged.
Entering their four-game series Thursday against the Reds, the Cubs were in second place in the division, five games behind the Brewers. And the Reds were in last place.
After the Cubs (31-34) fell 4-3 on Saturday, however — their third loss in a row in the series — they dropped to fourth in the NL Central, just percentage points ahead of the last-place Cardinals (30-33). The Reds (32-33) took over second place, a half-game ahead of the Pirates (31-33).
‘‘There’s a game the next day, and we’ve got to keep fighting for every inch of every game,’’ manager Craig Counsell said. ‘‘And that’s the only way you get out of it. . . . No one’s going to feel sorry for you. And we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves.’’
The Cubs have lost 12 of their last 16 games. During that time, they’ve played 12 games against division foes, going 2-10.
When he was asked whether he kept an eye on the standings during such a division-packed stretch of the schedule, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson said: ‘‘It’s June.’’
Point taken. There are plenty more games to play. And the Reds the last few days have shown the upside of tight division standings. But going into the season, there was a strong argument for the Cubs to be the division favorite. They aren’t playing like it right now.
‘‘Obviously, there’s a lot of talent in this division,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘There’s a lot of good pitching, a lot of good position players. Every game seems to be a fight. It seems to come down to who can make plays when it matters. And I’m looking forward to our day coming soon.’’
The Cubs have one more game in Cincinnati before heading to Tampa, Florida, to take on the Rays. Then they return Friday to Wrigley Field for another in-division series, this one against the Cardinals.
‘‘We’re not getting the results we want, and that always leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth,’’ Counsell said. “But we’ve got an opportunity [Sunday] to turn the page and do better.’’
Offensive progress
Swanson went 3-for-4 with two doubles a day after hitting a home run and making hard contact on a pair of lineouts Friday. Second baseman David Bote also had three hits, and he scored twice.
The Cubs outhit the Reds 10-6, but they left 12 runners on base.
‘‘I really liked our at-bats and intent,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘It can be a really hard game; it can be a cruel game. Seemed like a lot of just-misses today. And so often we can try and overcorrect and put ourselves in our own slump because we’re trying to do more, whereas less can be more.’’
It’s encouraging that the offense is showing signs of coming out of its May rut, but those strides have yet to translate into consistent victories.
Wicks in relief
Left-hander Jordan Wicks made his first appearance since being activated from the 15-day injured list Friday. In his first career relief appearance, he allowed one run in 3⅓ innings.
‘‘I’m just pumped to see him back out there,’’ said right-hander Ben Brown, who yielded three runs in four innings. ‘‘He looked really good. Excited to see him progress post-injury.”
