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MILWAUKEE -- The most interesting news coming out of Milwaukee this week has nothing to do with Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum's job status, nor the dugout arguments that occurred in the first two games. It's not the lack of offense or the Cubs cementing themselves further into last place.

The most important issue that many Cubs fans will actually end up saying "I told you so" is the near admission that the team tinkered with former All-Star Starlin Castro's approach at the plate too much.

"Starlin is somebody we just want to be himself," Cubs president Theo Epstein said earlier in the week. "He's a pretty unique hitter. I think we made efforts to introduce him to the concept of getting pitches he can really drive because in the long run that will benefit him. But if that can't be accomplished without him being himself as a hitter than you just have to let time play its course and he'll naturally evolve that way."

The Cubs and Castro made a conscious decision after months of struggles to simply let him return to the player who led the National League in hits in 2011. He started the year batting second and seeing more pitches per plate appearance than ever before. The goal was to hit the better ones for more power. The results were a dismal five months with his batting average hovering around .240, and no real uptick in his slugging percentage.

"With Starlin, if you try to throw too much at him -- which maybe at times we've been guilty of -- who knows, I think we've always been conscious of letting him be himself," Epstein said. "In his case he's at his best if he's singlemindedly himself."

The Cubs' goals were admirable but it didn't work. However, Castro holds no grudges about it. He knew they were just trying to help, but already he says he feels more comfortable going back to being the aggressive hitter that he naturally is. He's doing more of that batting leadoff now.

"When I talked to him (a couple weeks ago) I told him he's going to be in the leadoff spot the rest of the year, I said 'Be Starlin Castro,'" Sveum said. "'Don't worry about taking pitches or seeing pitches, just go back to that kid that we know that can hit.'"

Castro has done that as he's seeing less pitches and having better at-bats. He's still not the complete hitter -- and it's not like his numbers have skyrocketed -- but first the Cubs want him to return to what he was and then let nature take its course. At worst, they believe time will develop more power or perhaps more walks.

"He's in a good place right now," Epstein said. "Back to being comfortable at the plate. He understands he's supported and can be himself. I think he naturally will become a little more selective without losing his aggressiveness."

Some might wonder why the Cubs didn't just leave him alone in the first place and in hindsight the team might agree. But as Epstein and others have said, Castro is a unique hitter and the team saw an opportunity to expand his game. Now it will have to expand on its own. No more tinkering which means the old Castro might emerge for all of 2014.

"I see a much more mature type hitter," Sveum said.

Which means he'll be left alone from now on.

MILWAUKEE -- The admission kind of came out of nowhere. Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was asked about manager Dale Sveum and his job status, considering the topic has been in the news this week.

"Dale has done a really good job this year, especially with Starlin [Castro] and I," Rizzo said after the Cubs' 7-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. "Obviously, we didn't live up to what we were supposed to do."

That would be all he would say about Sveum, but Rizzo wasn't done talking about himself. Usually he'll admit to struggles through some cliché like "It is what it is," but after an 0-for-4 night with three strikeouts, Rizzo took on more of the burden.

"You take the positives out of everything," he said. "I know I'm a good hitter. I know I can hit the ball well, hit for average along with the power. I know I can hit with runners in scoring position, which I haven't done. Maybe it's due to putting a little too much pressure on myself. In a couple weeks I'll get to relax and dissect everything. It'll be the best thing for me."

Rizzo's average has dipped to .226, the lowest it has been since May 2. With 10 games remaining, the idea of a good feeling to finish the year is starting to fade.

"You feel bad for them," Sveum said. "I've been in these situations and those slumps, especially this time of year when you want to finish strong. Going into the winter it's not fun if you don't."

Rizzo has done his best to keep his head up and he continues to work. He and second baseman Darwin Barney -- also slumping -- were looking at video long after Wednesday's game, trying to find solutions. They may have to wait until spring.

"It is what it is, the sun is going to rise tomorrow," Rizzo said. "There's going to be games tomorrow. No one is going to feel bad for me."

But people are going to expect more. A .250 power hitter has some value, a .225 hitter is hard to watch. Rizzo has said in the past he thinks he's a .300 hitter. He hasn't shown that kind of plate ability for most of this season.

"This is going to be a good learning experience when it's all said and done," he said. "Hopefully it's just a bump in the road for the entire organization this year."

MILWAUKEE -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Cubs’ 7-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

How it happened: Chris Rusin gave up five runs in the opening inning as the Brewers locked up the win early. Sean Halton hit a two-out, 3-2 pitch for an opposite-field grand slam, providing the big blow after an Aramis Ramirez single drove in Milwaukee's first run. Rusin also gave up a solo shot to Khris Davis in the fourth. Alberto Cabrera struggled through his one inning of work but only gave up one run, while Tyler Thornburg cruised through Chicago's lineup. The Milwaukee starter went six innings, giving up two hits and two walks; no Cub reached second against him.

What it means: The Cubs’ offense has gone into hibernation against a mediocre pitching staff. Anthony Rizzo was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is 5-for-37 on the current road trip. Darwin Barney's batting average has dropped below .210 and Nate Schierholtz has been very quiet as well, despite two hits on Wednesday. Between dugout arguments, poor starting pitching, miscues in the field and a stagnant offense -- all against a fourth-place team -- it’s been a brutal few days for the Cubs in Milwaukee. Chicago will look to avoid a second series sweep here this season on Thursday afternoon. The Cubs have scored four runs total in the first three games.

Outside the box: Infielder Donnie Murphy is nursing a sore wrist suffered on Tuesday. … The Cubs had front-office and coaches meetings in Milwaukee to evaluate players. Coaches’ evaluations will come after the season.

What’s next: The finale of the four-game series takes place on Thursday afternoon at 1:10 CT when Jake Arrieta takes on Kyle Lohse.