Cubs Sweeping their Way Back into Contention.

On Wednesday the Chicago Cubs swept their second straight Series.

Craig House
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

After the Chicago Cubs swept the Baltimore Orioles in a three game set to open the second half, Willson Contreras proclaimed “We Are Back”. It was maybe a little early for such a claim, but after a second straight series sweep over the Atlanta Braves it would appear he might be right.

In the first half of the season the Cubs bats had problems finding consistency, the starting pitching struggled to pitch deep into games and other than the bull pen there were very few bright points. Now it seems that the tides have turned and the Cubs are clicking on all cylinders.

Since the All-Star break the Cubs have put up numbers that look much more like those of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs.

Here are the numbers so far:

  • Record-6–0
  • +27 Run Differential (scoring 44 runs in 6 games)
  • 16 Home Runs (Russell(2), Contreras(2), Heyward, Zobrist, Schwarber, Almora Jr., Rizzo(3), Bryant, Baez (2), LaStella, & yes even Mike Montgomery)
  • 2.00 ERA (Starters)
  • No first inning runs allowed

These are more like the numbers that Cubs fans have been waiting to see in the first half. The Cubs started the second half sitting 5.5 games out of first, trailing the Central Division leading Brewers. The Cubs were also tied with their arch rival the St. Louis Cardinals at the break.

Now just 6 games into the second half and the Cubs are closing the gap quickly on the Milwaukee Brewers. While the Cubs have come out red hot to start the 2nd half, the Brewers and the Cardinals have been losing ground in the Division. The Cardinals have played average baseball so far with a record of 3–3 and have dropped to a tie for third with the Pittsburgh Pirates at 5 games back.

The Brewers have completely faltered to start the half with a 1–6 start and have dropped 5 straight to allow the Cubs to creep back to within 1 game back. Another team in the Division that is climbing quickly is the Pirates. The Pirates have started out 6–1 and have done all of this at the expense of the Cardinals and the Brewers. They won 2 of 3 against the Cardinals in their first series back and have now beat the Brewers in 4 straight games.

Key Factors So Far for the Cubs

Since the All-Star break the Cubs bats have been producing in dominating fashion. So far the middle of the Cubs batting order has come to life.

Javier Baez: 10–20 .500, 5 runs, 2 HR, 6 RBI

Willson Contreras: 9–22 .409, 4 runs, 2 HR, 7 RBI

Addison Russell: 9–22 .409, 5 runs, 2 HR, 5 RBI

Jason Heyward: 9–21 .429, 6 runs, 1 HR, 6 RBI

Another Key Factor for the Cubs has been their pitching.

-So far in the 6 games the entire Cubs pitching staff has put up great numbers:

  • 2.67 ERA
  • .199 Opp BA
  • 1.06 WHIP

The Cubs have regained their confidence and Cubs fans are starting to enjoy it too.

Now that the Cubs have completed their 6 game road trip, they are heading back home for some good old fashioned rivalry baseball. With an off day on Thursday they prepare for a weekend matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals. Here are the matchups for this weekends games.

Friday- 2:20 PM ET -STL @ CHC

Jake Arrieta (9–7, 4.17 ERA vs Carlos Martinez (6–8, 3.36 ERA)

Saturday- 4:05 PM ET- STL @ CHC

Adam Wainwright (11–5, 5.08 ERA) vs Jon Lester (6–6, 4.07 ERA)

Sunday- 8:05 PM ET- STL @ CHC

Michael Wacha (7–3, 3.71 ERA) vs Jose Quintana (5–8, 4.20 ERA)

The summer is really starting to heat up and so is the race for the NL Central Division.

Follow us on Twitter @WrigleyRapport for all your Cubs News and Analysis. You can also follow Craig House on Twitter @Craig_House3 if you just want to chat with another Cubs fan.

Wrigley Rapport

Words From the Friendly Confines

)

Craig House

Written by

Co-Owner of WrigleyRapport.com Contact us at — WrigleyRapport@gmail.com I also love to write fiction, fact and just about everything. Twitter @Craig_House3

Wrigley Rapport

Words From the Friendly Confines

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade