At the All-Star Break, I asked if the Chicago Cubs were collapsing.
Despite leading the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates by 7 and 7½ games, respectively, the Cubs had gone 2-8 in the early part of July. At the beginning of that month, the Cubs led the Cards and Bucs by 11 and 13½ games, respectively. Had the Cubs peaked too soon?
Not by a longshot. Yes, the Cubs had a losing month in July (12-14). But even the best teams have lulls. The Cubs have clearly past theirs. Since July 27th, the team is 13-1 and last night won their 10th consecutive game beating the Cardinals 4-3 in 11 innings. The win was controversial with Anthony Rizzo drawing a game winning bases loaded walk on a pitch from Cards reliever Zach Duke that should frankly have been called a strike. But when things are going good every break goes your way.
Walk or no walk, the Cubs now have a 13 and 14½ game lead over the Cardinals and Pirates and their 72-41 record is the best in MLB. The Cubs could extend their winning streak to 11 as they have just taken a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals in the first inning on doubles by Kris Bryant and Addison Russell.
The Cubs have not been to the World Series since 1945 and last won it in 1908. With the team they have that could easily change in 2016. Or will there be more heartbreak in store for the residents of Wrigleyville?
