The Chicago Cubs are hoping a short break benefits center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong at the plate.

Crow-Armstrong was not in the lineup Wednesday for a second consecutive game, part of manager Craig Counsell’s plan to give him a three-day reset, paired with the Cubs’ day off Thursday. Crow-Armstrong didn’t do any of his typical pregame hitting Tuesday in an effort to have him take a step back amid his prolonged slump. He was expected to go through his normal routine Wednesday.

“Just to get him a physical and mental break,” Counsell explained. “And then go into the last essentially 3½ weeks of the season hopefully a little bit refreshed.”

The timing comes as the Cubs make a push to close the gap between their second-place standing in the National League Central and the first-place Milwa

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