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.

Assessing the challenge

With seventeen games in seventeen days scheduled, the Cubs have a chance to get hot, stay hot, and build some separation in the NL. Unfortunately, this same stretch of games offers the possibility that the team struggles and limps into the All-Star break.

The stretch started off well for Chicago, winning two of three in St. Louis. But things don’t get any easier with a red-hot Dodgers team coming into town this week for three games in two days. After these three games, the Cubs hit the road for four in Cincinnati and another four in LA, finishing up the stretch back home against the Twins.

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These consecutive game stretches are not new to these Cubs. In 2016, Chicago had one stretch of 24 consecutive days of baseball. It was, undoubtedly, their worst stretch of baseball in that championship season (9-15). In 2017, Chicago had two similar stretches, finishing a combined 20-17 in those games.

Considering the Brewers upcoming schedule and the current state of the NL Central, a 9-8 record at worst in these 17 games is a must.

It’s also noteworthy that the Cubs have a 23-day consecutive  stretch late this year as well. During that gauntlet, they will play the Brewers six times. That’s followed by eight games against Philly, Atlanta and Washington.

Obviously, that stretch will go a long way toward deciding the final National League standings. But this current sprint should not be ignored as it will help position the Cubs as either a leader or a chaser as the summer heats up.

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.