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Chicago Cubs: 2017 – the year the Cubs were reigning world champions
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 16: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates wtih teammate Kris Bryant #17 after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 16, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
July 14, 2017: Cubs start the second half strong
Despite all the great moments listed above, the Cubs were not good in the first half of the season. The term “World Series hangover” was used a lot. Kyle Schwarber was demoted to Triple-A. A lot of players were under performing and the starting pitching was atrocious.
But, Chicago opened the second half in Baltimore and the offense performed better than we’d seen in weeks, scoring nine runs in a 9-8 win, which included five home runs. The win led to a hot start of the second half and putting the Cubs in the middle of the NL Central race.
More from Cubbies Crib
- Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
- Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
- Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
- Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
- Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
July 27, 2017: Cubs win the Crosstown Cup
I’ve always felt the crosstown rivalry between the White Sox and the Cubs was a Chicago-native thing. I grew up in Central Illinois, which honestly is Cardinal Country, but it was nice to get some bragging rights against the South Side fans, even if their team is in the middle of a rebuild.
August 20, 2017: Cubs rally to beat Jays
August was the Cubs’ best month of the season. The Blue Jays came to Wrigley for an Interleague matchup.
In a game that looked like the Cubs would take two out of three in the series, the Cubs swept the series instead after a three-run ninth inning rally, after Toronto took a 5-3 lead in the top half of the inning. The rally was capped off by an Alex Avila walk-off two-run single, which lead to a memorable Javy Baez slide.