The Chicago Cubs are currently enjoying a successful run, getting wins and proving their relevance all over again. They won Friday’s game against the Dodgers by a score of 13-0 (ESPN), but lost their starting pitcher to an injury (Sports Mockery). Drew Smyly, Cubs’ pitcher, fell short of a perfect game when he collided with his catcher in the eighth inning (ESPN). This led fans to mock the Cubs, but it did not lessen the fact that they remain a strong team. Their current record is 12-7 after the first two games of an important homestand (CBS Sports).
The team’s reliance on pitcher depth has been tested after the injury to the starting pitcher. They have utilized player call-ups and optioning; most recently, right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Estrada was recalled (Bleed Cubbie Blue). The Cubs will continue to work around these challenges in their upcoming games.
The Cubs’ recent accomplishments have tied the team record for fewest runs allowed: they allowed a total of seven runs in their past five games (Bleed Cubbie Blue). The team’s success and the individual feats of their players have not gone unnoticed, with pitcher Drew Smyly being recently in the spotlight due to his near-perfect game. The Cubs’ offense has also been noteworthy, with Unil James Outman hitting a tie-breaking grand slam in the game against the Dodgers (Bleed Cubbie Blue).
It may take some time before the Cubs reach the same level of success they had during their World Series win seven years ago, but their strong start proves they are once again a force to be reckoned with (CBS Sports).
