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Chicago Cubs: Weekend showdown with Milwaukee will decide Central

By Jake Misener

MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 30: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 30, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 30: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 30, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs (L) smiles after scoring on a two run home run by Ian Happ #8 (R) against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at Wrigley Field on August 30, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs (L) smiles after scoring on a two run home run by Ian Happ #8 (R) against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at Wrigley Field on August 30, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Offense will make or break this team

Over the last seven games (entering Wednesday night), the Cubs featured seven players batting at least .260. The lowest man on that list? Kyle Schwarber, who belted a mammoth shot in the opener against Tampa Bay. The rookie has made adjustments at the dish of-late, namely choking up in at-bats. (Hmm. Now where have we seen this before? Cough, Anthony Rizzo.)

Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs /

Chicago Cubs

Of course, Albert Almora tops that chart after a torrid stretch where he drove in runs on a near-daily basis. Jason Heyward (.385), Willson Contreras (.375) and Rizzo (.300) are all swinging hot bats right now, as well.

Last weekend against St. Louis, the clutch at-bats turned in by the offense led this club to a much-needed sweep. Heyward, of course, delivered the biggest of them all in Sunday’s finale, once again coming up in a big moment.

But, in games like Wednesday’s lopsided loss to Tampa Bay, we see the other side of this team. The games where the Cubs seemingly cannot string together hits to save their lives. It has been feast-or-famine for what seems like months now.

The best part about losing the finale to the Rays? There’s no streak to play for this weekend. It’s all about each individual game. Just like Joe Maddon talked about in the World Series last year. Win one game. Then win the next. Easier said than done, sure. But that’s really what it comes down to.

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