You’ve heard the saying right? Hitting is contagious. Maybe it’s just a thing, but I do believe it. If you needed an example of this, let’s take a peek at the Cubs Nationals game from Tuesday night.
The game was going along pretty much right on par for the Cubs. They were losing 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning. Then it happened… not immediately, but they scored 2 runs in that 6th inning to tie up the game, which brings us to the onslaught that occurred in the 7th and 8th innings last night. The Cubs scored 14 runs in those 2 innings to destroy the Nats 17-3. Who the heck sang the anthem at Wrigley? The Cubs finally listened!
It’s not the first time the Cubs have went off. I saw some graphic on MLB network, about scoring runs, maybe the number of games in double digits… something like that. The list looked accurate other than the inclusion of the Cubs. What were they doing on that list of good teams? But yes, the Cubs have had their outbursts. In fact, both of their wins since the break have been due to double digit runs scored. The Cubs notched victories of this variety 11 times in the first half. So out of their 44 total wins, the Cubs have scored double digits 13 times! That seems high. Almost 30%?!? Can’t we spread those runs out a bit? Furthermore, because of these big games, the Cubs own the only positive run differential in the NL Central; crazy huh? In fact, they are top 5 in the NL! Go figure. Shows you how much that stat is worth… How did the Cubs do after those games? Well, so far, they’re 6-6, so who the hell knows what will happen on Wednesday night at Wrigley. I do know Hendricks will be on the mound. I do know Trent Williams (remember him and his dad?) will be on the mound for the Nats. All of this information sounds good…
Further schedule diving, shows that the Cubs have had win streaks of 3 or more 4 separate times this year. 3 in a row in April, another 4 in a row in April, 5 in a row in June, and another 4 in a row in June. Those June streaks were separated by one loss, meaning they won 9 out of 10 at one point in the season, not that long ago. I’m trying to be positive here. On the flip side, the Cubs own 9 separate 3 or more game losing streaks! The worst being 5 in a row in May. Two of these bad streaks were separated by 1 win… right after winning 9 of 10… the Cubs lost 7 of 8. I always like looking back and seeing this stuff, although I wished it were better news for our Cubbies.
What’s it all mean? The Cubs aren’t that good. You are what your record says you are, for the most part, and right now, that’s good for 3rd in the NL Central and 8 games back from a Wild Card. Think we have a run in us? That would make for some fun, but… that trade deadline is approaching, and the consensus is that the Cubs will sell, so… Hey, just make sure you get to Wrigley over the next month or so; not many places better to be on a summer day/evening in Chicago. Go Cubs.
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