Chicago Cubs: A tale of two games for the team so far in Cincinnati

Chicago Cubs: It’s time to have a short memory

We know about the Chicago Cubs and their inability to consistently win games on the road this year. Their 22 wins away from Wrigley Field are the second-fewest among all National League teams, ahead of only the lowly Miami Marlins.

It has to get better. Chicago is in the midst of a lengthy road trip where they could really start to separate themselves from the rest of the division. They’ll finish up the next two games against the Reds before heading to Philadelphia for three and Pittsburgh for three. Those games against the Reds and Pirates are particularly important.

Castellanos has given the offense a major boost in his nine games with the team. The bullpen is a concern given how shorthanded it is (Kyle Ryan is on the bereavement list, Craig Kimbrel is on the IL alongside Brandon Morrow) and the team is working through what appears to be a fairly significant injury to Willson Contreras.

It’s on Maddon and the club now to step up and start inching their way toward October, one game at a time. It all starts with putting a disappointing showing from Friday behind them, re-focusing and handling business in Cincinnati come Friday night.