The Brewers came down the Edens with their big, bad winning streak and smacked the Cubs down in the first game of the series at Wrigley on Monday night. Questions galore… is this the end of the Cubs run? Are the Brewers simply better than us? Well, after winning one of the biggest games of the season IMO on Tuesday night 1-0 w/a gutsy-ass effort from Justin Steele, the Cubs took the rubber game and the series with a 3-2 win with the Professor on the mound Wednesday afternoon. The Brewers winning streak is over; their lead is down to 3 games. Not sure what happens next, but I do know one message the Cubs delivered with this series win: We’re Still Here!!!
It feels good, let me tell you. It feels really good because at least I didn’t expect it. With a half-hearted effort this offseason, and the talk about selling much of the first half, how excited could I really get about THIS year? Well, the Cubs got hot, they turned into buyers, and now, are right smack dab in the middle of the postseason race in the NL; how you like them apples? I love them personally. This Cubs team has grown on me; I do believe that other than the Braves and Dodgers (maybe Phillies), the Cubs can stack up against any other NL team. Agreed?
Well, I kind of lied above; I DO know what’s next. The Cubs travel to Cincy for another important series; this time, it starts with a doubleheader, and in total, is a 4 game set against another division foe fighting for the postseason. I mentioned the 3 games down to the Brewers, but in the “other” standings, the wild card, the Cubs are holding down the 2nd spot behind Philly and in front of San Fran. The Diamondbacks, Reds, and Marlins are all still within striking distance; I think the Padres are dead btw… After the 4 in Cincy, we have 3 at home against the Giants, and 4 in Arizona, so… gut check time?
The Cubs have won 11 of the past 13 series; THIS is how you get into the playoffs… winning series! Getting this against the Brewers after dropping the first one in embarrassing fashion was most impressive. Justin Steele… my God… this guy. Didn’t seem to have his best stuff, got a line drive hit off his leg, and he still turned in 6 shutout innings; my man! Then Kyle… well, a legend forever from 2016, maybe Hendricks has another chapter in his Cubs postseason career. Steele and Kyle back to back pitching in a playoff series? Not too shabby… The 3rd game would be the question mark, unless Stroman gets back any time soon.
First thing’s first though… keep stacking those Ws. 29 games to go! As the calendar turns to September Friday, the dog days of summer are ending, and the homestretch for the MLB season is beginning. I want there to be a postseason in Chicago; I want a playoff game at Wrigley. Sure, it’s only been 3 years since we’ve been in the playoffs, but it feels like longer. Keep going guys… Go Cubs!!!
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