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

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.