Chicago Cubs: Current stretch of schedule key in race for NL Central

This stretch of seventeen games in seventeen days could well define the 2018 season for the Chicago Cubs as they seek another division crown.

Yes, I know what you are thinking, it is early. It is far too early to pay too much attention to specific stretches. Heck, the league is still collecting All-Star votes, so how could anyone honestly believe that a handful of June baseball games can matter all that much?

This is part of what makes baseball so great. As long as the season may be – and make no mistake, it is a marathon – these short sprints make all the difference.

The Cubs are entering such a sprint now, playing seventeen consecutive days without a scheduled day off. If they navigate these two-and-a-half weeks well, they’ll be in charge of their division. If they struggle, they’ll have work to do if they want a shot at a fourth straight NL Championship Series appearance.