Crucial stretch continues for Cubs |
Another big game on the schedule for the Cubs, who are in the midst of the most crucial stretch of the season. The Cubs had the Brewers on the docket last week for a critical three-game set. The Cubs trail the Brewers in the division, and this series had a wide range of options that could drastically alter the Cubs’ chances to win the division.
After an underwhelming first game of the series that Chicago dropped to slip to 5.0 games out of the division, the Cubs grinded out two wins the following days to narrow the division deficit to 3.0 games. The series win also capped off the Cubs winningest month since the 2021 season and lifted their record to a season-high nine games over .500. Plus, Chicago posted an incredibly strong 7-1-1 record in their nine series in August. The Cubs grabbed series wins over the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers — many of those series include losing the opener and battling back to take the following two/three games. The Cubs went the entire month without losing back-to-back games, an excellent way to cement to the National League that they are legit playoff contenders. However, the road did not get any easier. The 14 games in a row against National League contenders continued. The Cubs took on the Reds for four games over the weekend and opened the series with a doubleheader game one win over the Reds in Cincinnati. The following two games were disappointing, with blown saves in back-to-back games — after over 20 straight saves without a blown save for the Cubs. The Cubs offense exploded in the finale, though, securing a 15-7 win and a series split. The gauntlet continues, though. The Cubs had their chance to narrow their deficit to the Brewers and create some ground between the Reds behind them. Currently, the Cubs are 2.5 games behind the Brewers, 3.0 games up on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Reds, who are tied for the third wildcard spot, 3.5 games up on the Miami Marlins, and 4.0 games up on the San Francisco Giants. Now the Cubs have a chance to bury both the Giants and the Diamondbacks this week, while both teams have an opportunity to narrow the gap. The Cubs are at home for the seven games between the Giants and Diamondbacks — and got the homestead off in electric fashion. The Cubs won a 5-0 thriller over the Giants behind an electrifying 8-shutout inning, 12-strikeout performance from the Cubs ace and Cy Young hopeful, Justin Steele.
The Cubs have two more games against the Giants, built similarly to the Brewers. There is a lot of pitching, solid veteran leadership, and a plethora of timely hitting — not much star power. Then, the Cubs will end their crazy stretch of competitive baseball against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are similar to the Cubs who may have arrived a year early to their contention window.
Arizona has some young stars offensively and a few All-Star starters and is looking to crack the postseason for the first time since 2017.
It is no secret that this stretch will define the Cubs' season, but a 5-3 start is certainly grounds to believe this team is a legit contender in the NL.
