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.

Looking for help

The Cubs know their success is in the hands of their stars. Kris Bryant is currently mired in the worst stretch of baseball in his young career. Fortunately, a resurgent Jason Heyward, an increasingly consistent starting pitching staff, and increased production from their other stars has helped buoy the team through KB’s slump. He must return to form if the Cubs hope to navigate this stretch of games.

As for those afore-mentioned starting pitchers, they simply have to stay steady. Jon Lester is as hot as they come (8 wins, sub-2.30 ERA) so even a mild regression wouldn’t be a terrible thing. In ten starts since April 23^rd, Jose Quintana has allowed more than two runs only twice. As impressive, he allowed more than five hits only once in that same stretch. He’s finally looking like the player the team coveted last summer.

Kyle Hendricks has been up-and-down, but while his highs aren’t too high, his lows haven’t been too low either. His performance has been adequate and there’s no reason to expect the wheels to fall off for Kyle anytime soon. Tyler Chatwood has easily been the least consistent starter, but with Mike Montgomery pitching so well, Chatwood has time to work into form. Most teams have a couple of weak spots in their rotations, so having only one is a bit of a luxury for Chicago.

Chicago remains one of the highest scoring teams in baseball. If their pitching continues to produce, this stretch should be more boom than bust.

What’s the likely result?

In the past two seasons, the Cubs are a combined 103-58 (.639 winning percentage) after the break. There’s no reason to believe 2018 will offer any schedule challenges they haven’t already proven they can navigate. But if the team can put together a stretch of very good baseball right now, they can set themselves up to be the team to beat in the second half.

As important, these next few weeks of baseball will be telling for the Cubs. They could decide what – if any – moves they make as the trade deadline approaches. If they struggle mightily, expect a loud move or two to shake things up. If they sustain, expect only minor tinkering-type moves.

Seventeen days of good baseball could make all the difference.