Chicago Cubs: Top five surprises of the season’s first month

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3) In entire month, Cubs lost just one series

Finishing the month of April with a very respectable 12-8 record, the Cubs showed not only their fans – but all of Major League Baseball – that they are, indeed, for real.

The division-rival St. Louis Cardinals are still widely considered the front-runners in the National League Central, as they well should be given the Redbirds have won the division in each of the past two seasons. That being said, the kids and Joe Maddon are turning some heads.

This year, Chicago has an impressive 4-1 mark against the Reds and an above-.500 mark against the Pirates at 4-3. In just two games against St. Louis, the Cubs have split at 1-1; but given the fact those three teams are easily in the top portion of the Central, an accumulated 9-5 mark is something to turn some heads.

The only series loss in the month of April came at home against the San Diego Padres. The series very easily could have been a sweep for either club, but it was the new-look Padres that took down the Cubs.

No matter how you look at it, one series loss in an entire month is good for any team – especially one coming off an 89-loss campaign.

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